Moyvane
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Moyvane Maigh Mheáin
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| Village | |
 Moyvane
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| Coordinates: 52°30′05″N 9°22′13″W / 52.5013800°N 9.3703100°WCoordinates: 52°30′05″N 9°22′13″W / 52.5013800°N 9.3703100°W | |
| Country | Ireland |
| Province | Munster |
| County | County Kerry |
| County town | Tralee |
| Elevation | 63 m (207 ft) |
| Population | |
| • Total | <1,000, |
| Irish Grid Reference | V592605 |
| Website | |
Moyvane (Irish: Maigh Mheáin, meaning "main or middle plain") is a small village in County Kerry in the south west of Ireland. It is situated off the N69 road between Listowel to the South-West and Tarbert to the North. The village of Knockanure lies to the immediate South. The parish in which the village is located is now also known as the "Parish of Moyvane", it was originally called the parish of Murhur, this was part of the ancient "Barony of Iraghticonnor", it seldom featured in the history books in conjunction with the stories of the Barony, hence very little writing exists about the parish.
The name of "Moyvane", which in Irish is "Maigh Mheain" meaning "the Middle Plain", was adopted by the village in 1939 when a plebiscite was held by "Father O'Sullivan", who was the Parish Priest at the time. It is the name of a townland situated about two miles South-West of the actual village itself and this area resembles a flat plain/prairie-like landscape that extends for miles around.
Prior to 1939, the village had been called "NewtownSandes" and is even still referred to, by natives, as "Newtown" – which is especially true of the older generation.
The origin of the name "NewtownSandes" itself is tempered with pain as it was the village located on the lands of "George Sandes" when he was alive in the early 1880s. He was a notoriously cruel Landlord (and agent of another) at that time and still tenaciously held on to his estates towards the end of the Land War when most of his peers had already given up theirs.
Around 1886, after a forceful eviction of some of his tenants, the name of the village was changed to "NewtownDillon" after "John Dillon". However, this didn't stick and the name remained unchanged until 1916 when another name-change was attempted: this time to "NewtownClarke" after the 1916 Easter Rising leader "Thomas Clarke".
The parish of Moyvane emphasises artistic talent in their culture, as well as music, drama, and storytelling. Performances are often held in the Marian Hall, where villagers gather to watch some of the artistic work and dramatic shows that the citizens or guests have to offer.
Past performances there have included the well known 'seanchaí' Eddie Lenihan, who told of mythical battles involving the Fianna, as well as poetry recitals by Gabriel Fitzmaurice, Dan Keane and Cormac O'Leary.
A myriad of 'talent' shows have been held in the Hall over the years that gave welcome opportunities to the young locals to sing and play music in front of their neighbours. These shows would culminate in comedy sketches bringing the night to an end.
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Wikipedia