The Late Diarmuid O'Muineachain Diarmuid O Muineachain, who had died aged 77 was a real community person and was actively involved in ensuring his homeplace had the best of everything. Diarmuid had a number of interests from GAA, the local drama group,local history to the parish council and Rathmore Community Alert. Born in February 22, 1928 in Gloungriskeen, Rathmore, Diarmuid was one of six children of Con and Margaret Moynihan. He had three sisters, Mamie, Chris and Gretta and two brothers John Cyril and Tim, all of whom pre-deceased him. His family had a poultry business and travelling shop and supplied customers all over Munster and in Britain with eggs and poultry. Diarmuid attended Rathmore Boys National School and from a very young age he wanted to be a teacher. He attended the CBS in Tralee before winning a scholarship to the newly-built teachers preparatory college, Colaiste Iosagain, in the Baile Muhirne Gaeltacht in Co. Cork. He attended Colaoiste Iosagain as a boarder for three years, coming home to Rathmore for the holidays. On a couple of occasions he walked from Baile Mhuirne to Rathmore, through the Clydagh valley, over the Slogadal Pass, across the Paps mountains into Shrone. He trained as a teacher in St Patrick's College, Drumcondra and taught for ten years in Dublin. During his time in Dublin he was active in school sports and was instrumental in the founding of a primary schools handball league. He continued his studies at night and earned a BA and a higher diploma in education from UCD. In 1956 he was appointed principal of Hollymount Primary School in Rathmore and was delighted to return to his homeplace. He remained there until retirement in 1993. Diarmuid played an active role in community life in Rathmore, especially in the local drama group, and often played a starring role in local performances as well as taking part in competitions. In 1967 he married Celine and the couple had six children- Conor, Maria, Ciaran, Eoin, Una and Enda. Diarmuid had a great love of GAA and from his youth, he played an active and important role in it. During his years in Dublin he was a member of Clanna Gael (football) and Fontenoys (hurling). He was very much to the fore in organising games for juveniles and was prominent in the GAA in Rathmore and East Kerry from 1956 to 1966. In the late 1950s and early 1960s he was a playing member and active worker in Rathmore Club. He served as club secretary, delegate, selector, referee etc. At divisional board level Diarmuid was cathaoirleach for two months (November 1962 until the 1963 convention) and runai for four years (1963-1966). During his time as East Kerry Board officer, Rathmore submitted many motions directed towards the more efficient running of competitions. It is likely that Diarmuid motivated the club to take an extra interest in these matters. Another important interest was music through his role with the Specialist showband - of which al seven members came from Millstreet - and Diarmuid became their manager. After his retirement Diarmuid had numerous projects on the go and always kept busy first with completing his masters from the University of Limerick in history and local studies which he finished in 2000. He wrote his masters these, Some early Roads of Sliabh Luachra, and later developed it into a book, Sliabh Luachra Milestones which was published in 2003. Diarmuid Moynigan after a lifetime as teacher, retired in 1993. He joined the local historical society, Cumann Loachra, Gneeveguilla and contributed articles such as The Linen Industry in Sliabh Luachra and The Famine in Sliabh Luachra. A hard-working and busy man Diarmuid was an important part of the community and he made a huge difference to the community and life in general. A loving husband, father and grandfather he was a real family man and always encouraged and supported his children. Diarmuid was described as a gentle person who gave the best he could to everyone and everything. He was outgoing and sociable and seems to have known everybody and everybody knew him. There are so many things that he did for everyone that there are no words to describe the loss to his family and the community. Courtesy of The Kerryman 2nd June 2005 Tweet

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