Local Notes: All the latest news from Foxford
Members of the Walsh, Hegarty and O’Malley families, Knockmore, flew the flag for Mayo at Croke Park on All-Ireland Final day. Picture: David Farrell Photography
rang out proudly across the Waterfront Hall in Belfast last week as Foxford’s very own Admiral Brown CCÉ enjoyed tremendous success at Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann.
Pride of place went to the branch’s Glór na Sí who won first place in the U12 to U15 Grúpaí Ceoil. The victorious young musicians who made up the group were Michael McHale, Siobhán Hyland, Thomas Holmes, Áine McHale, Abby Gallagher, Emma Roughneen, Aoife Rochford, Olivia Bourke, Sean Cassidy, Oisín Ruddy, Kate Moylett, Tom Doherty, Emily O'Brien, Dezzie Scahill, Gareth Doyle, Patrick Munnelly O'Keefe, Cera Maloney, Eilidh Jackson, Cara Grady, Croídhe Doherty. A special mention must also go to Stephen Doherty for his musical direction and to Tom Doherty for his dedication and hard work with these young musicians over many years.
That, however, was just one of many medal wins for Admiral Brown CCÉ members in Belfast, with competitions not only hosted at the Waterfront Hall but at the University of Ulster also. Also taking first place in the 12-15 duet competition at the All-Ireland Fleadh Cheoil were Croídhe Doherty and Eilidh Jackson.
There were superb second places for Niamh Doherty and Gareth Doyle in the 15-18 and 12-15 whistling respectively, for Ida Hennigan in the U12 sean-nós dancing and for Liam Jones in both the U12 men's English singing and storytelling competitions. There was a silver medal also for Pierce Keadin in the 15-18 English singing and bronze for Sean Holmes in the 15-18 mouth organ competition.
Congratulations also go to branch members Peter Fox and Molly Granahan who won All-Irelands with other groups, Peter joining fellow Mayo dancers Leona Bowe, Dani Bowe and James Frayne to win the senior half set and Molly playing with Tigh na Coille from Co Clare who won the prestigious All-Ireland Senior Grúpaí Ceoil.
Well done to the Foxford Café, located at Foxford Woollen Mills, and O’Hara’s Bakery, Foxford who have both been shortlisted as finalists in Blas na hÉireann – the Irish Food Awards 2026. They are among 16 Mayo producers who have made it through to the final stage of Ireland’s most prestigious food awards.
The award winners will be announced on Friday, October 2 in Dingle, Co Kerry.
The judging, which took place over June and July in partnership with University College Cork and Technological University Dublin, is blind-tasted and scored by a network of expert judges, including chefs, buyers, academics, restaurateurs, and industry leaders.
While there is no full Foxford Riverfest this year, a special evening is planned for this Friday, August 21 as the annual ‘Candles to the Sea’ takes place.
The Foxford Brass and Reed Band will perform from 8.30pm after which the local clergy will perform a blessing. Singer-songwriter Julianne Hennelly will provide the music at dusk for the moving sight of the memorial candles drifting along the Moy.
Afterwards, the Foxford-Ballina band Mississippi Shieks (Rory Gallagher tribute band) will perform in Cruiser’s Bar. It’s intended that the festival will return in full next year.
Knockmore-Foxford Boxing Club is to return to training for the 2026/27 season on September 2 at its new home in Belgarrow on the Swinford Road, Foxford (F26 CT8W). New members are welcome. Contact 086-8373646.
Good wishes and blessings are extended to Maeve and Fabio Bellomo, Dispensary Road and Italy, on the baptising of their daughter Enya at St Michael’s Church, Foxford earlier this month.
The annual general meeting of Straide Community Group will be held on Sunday, August 23 in the Straide Davitt Community Hall at 6pm. The attendance of as many of the local community as possible would be greatly appreciated so you are encouraged to spread the word.
A celebration of Fr Malachy Smyth’s Diamond Jubilee of Ordination is to be held in Straide next Saturday, August 22. Mass will be celebrated in the Church of Ss Peter and Paul at 5pm followed by refreshments in Straide Community Hall. All parishioners are invited.
Moy Davitts will continue their Egan Jewellers Mayo Intermediate Football Championship Group 3 campaign this coming Friday evening, August 21, when they host Davitts in Round 2. Throw-in is at 6.30pm.
Pat Clarke’s side made a flying start to the competition when beating Louisburgh 4-21 to 0-11. Their third round game will be against Lahardane MacHales at a neutral venue.
In other results, Moy Davitts beat Westport ‘B’ 3-13 to 3-11 in the Homeland Minor D Championship but lost to Kilmeena (6-7 to 0-11) and Seamróga Iorrais (2-11 to 2-6) in the U16C and U14C competitions.
Congratulations to Anne Grogan who won €494 in last week’s Moy Davitts GAA 50-50 draw.
For anyone with an interest in the proposals for a new routing of the N26 road between Foxford and Mount Falcon, it’s worth noting that Mayo’s National Roads Office is to display the emerging preferred option and hold a public consultation in the Great National Hotel, Ballina this Wednesday, August 19 from 2pm to 7pm.
It will represent an important opportunity to learn more about and to discuss the plans. A virtual public consultation room will also be available at www.n26foxfordtomountfalcon.ie from this Wednesday until Friday, September 4. All interested parties are invited to participate.
Fourteen salmon were reported caught on the River Moy by Foxford Salmon Anglers for the week-ending Sunday, August 9. A number of the fish were released.
Conditions have remained very challenging given the relatively small amounts of rainfall, with the majority of salmon still waiting in Killala Bay or in the river itself, waiting on water to flow from their river among the approximately 116 that flow into the Moy.
There are to be no Masses in either Toomore or Attymachugh churches on the weekend of August 30/31, with all Masses that weekend instead taking place in St Michael’s Church, Foxford only.
Straide and Foxford United are for the first time looking to enter a team into the Mayo Women’s Masters League. The club is now recruiting players for the over-30s league which gets underway in the autumn.
For anyone interested in joining the team, contact Brian Wallace at 086-3748128 for further details.
Foxford Salmon Anglers are to run the open invitation Waterkeepers Trophy 2026 competition on the River Moy on Friday to Sunday, August 21 to 23. There will be both senior and junior categories with cash prizes on offer along with spot prizes and a trophy.
With fishing allowed from dawn to dusk, the heaviest bag presentation will be held in Guiry’s Bar at 1pm on the Sunday. The entry fee is €20 for the whole weekend. Tickets are available in advance from the waterkeepers or Tiernan Brothers tackle shop.
Couples celebrating their Silver, Ruby, Golden, Diamond, Platinum or other wedding anniversaries are invited to attend a Jubilee Mass, along with their families and friends, on Sunday, October 4 at 2.30pm in the Cathedral of the Annunciation and St Nathy, Ballaghaderreen.
Bishop Kevin Doran will celebrate the Mass. Light refreshments will be served afterwards for all in attendance. As each couple celebrating an anniversary will receive a certificate from Bishop Kevin, they are asked to register their details at www.achonryelphin.ie.
If you have any questions, you can contact Sr Pat Casey or Bernie Mulligan in the Achonry diocesan office on 094-9860034.
A 30-year reunion of St Joseph’s Secondary School’s 1996 Leaving Certificate class is to be held on Saturday, September 12 in The Riverbank, Foxford where a night of music, memories and lots, lots more is guaranteed.
Former students are asked to save the date and spread the word. You can get in touch by email at classof96stjosephs@gmail.com or follow on Facebook at Class of 1996 Reunion.
Meals can be provided from Monday to Saturday by the Foxford Meals on Wheels service at a cost of €7 per meal. To avail of this service please contact Geraldine on 087-9040463 or Carmel on 086-6064670.
