Moore Hall


Moore Hall

Carnacon Development Association Ltd. / Lake District Enterprise Ltd.

On 12th December 1798 John Moore of Moorehall, President of Connaught, died at Royal Oak and was subsequently buried at Ballygunner in Waterford. At the time he was a prisoner of the crown forces under penalty of transportation to New Geneva for his part in the 1798 rebellion. He had been captured at Castlebar and was sentenced to death. This was commuted to transportation but due to the poor conditions of jails and John's continued movement from place to place ensured that his health failed and he died on 12th December 1798. In 1961 the burial pace of John Moore was discovered and his body was exhumed and brought back to Castlebar under military escort. He is now buried at the Mall in Castlebar beside the 1798 memorial. He was a member of the great Moore Family of Moorehall who have contributed much to the history of Mayo, Ireland and the world.

At 2pm on Sunday 13th December 1998 a wreath will be laid by Eamon Ó Cúiv, Minister of State, at the steps of Moorehall in honour of John Moore. Aine Ryan of Amnesty International will speak for a few moments on prisoner's right 200 years on. Al Mc Donnell, Chairman of both Mayo County Council and The Moorehall Restoration Foundation and representatives from Carlow and Wexford where there were strong ties with John Moore will be in attendance. All are welcome. Please come out and help to mark this important anniversary in the history of Mayo and Ireland. This commemoration is part of Carnacon Development Associaton's Moore Convention 1998. The Moore literary prizes for Poetry & Short story will be awarded at Hughes in Carnacon at 3 pm and there will be readings by the winners, invited writers from Mayo and from Ger Reidy. Ist prizes in both categories will receive a specially minted gold medallion with raised a relief of Moorehall.


Winners of Short Story Competition

1St Prize Hugo Kelly, 3 Great Western Ave., Phibsborough, Dublin 7. Originally from Westport.

([sterling]150 and specially minted gold medallion, in relief of Moorehall)

2nd Prize Joe Ducke, Summerhill, Athlone, Co Westmeath.

3rd Prize Helen Fallon, 78 The Thatch, Whitehall, Dublin.



Winners of Poetry Competition

1st Prize Eileen Casey, 16 Watermeadow Park, Old Bawn, Tallaght, Co Dublin.

(£150 and specially minted gold medallion, in relief of Moorehall)

2nd Geraldine Mills, Doon West, Roscahill, Galway.

The Moorehall Restoration Foundation has already accepted a number of donations and artefacts to be displayed when the restoration project is complete. Along with many other items, of particular interest are the original rent books of the Moorehall estate dating from 1870-1880.

Art Ó Súilleabháin (Manager LDE / Moore Convention)