Local notes: Books, poetry and parades are talk of the town
Foxford friends Anne Loftus, Kieran Staunton, Fiona Staunton and Niamh O'Neill at the 12th Mayo Mental Health Association Turlough 8k Fun Run and Race at the National Museum of Ireland Country Life. Picture: Alison Laredo
To mark the golden anniversary of Moy Davitts GAA Club, plans are afoot to this year publish a complete 50-year history in commemorative book form, looking back at the five eventful decades of the club’s history since its formation in 1974. It is planned that the book will be launched at a special club event later in the year.
The book committee is on the look-out for material to be included in the book, including old match programmes, press cuttings, articles, team photos, pictures from special trips and events, or anything you may have relating to the club’s development over the past number of years.
So, if you have any material which you would be happy to share with the club, please email the details to moydavitts50@gmail.com or call Bernie on 086-8532293 for further details.
The Foxford Traditional Singing and Poetry Group will meet in Guiry’s Bar this Thursday, February 29 at 8.30pm. All are welcome to attend.
With five marching bands and a host of floats already confirmed as taking part, exciting is growing in advance of the long awaited return of the St Patrick’s Day parade to Foxford. The parade is actually scheduled to go ahead on Saturday, March 16 at 2pm and a call has gone out from the organisers for any volunteers who would like to become involved and help out on the day.
For that, or for anyone who would like to enter a float, email foxfordstpatricksdayparade2024@gmail.com and together help make this Foxford’s best St Patrick’s parade ever.
A number of local road projects have been allocated funding by the government as part of the national road and greenways programme, to which €34million has been designated to Co Mayo.
€500,000 is assigned to improvements on the N26 between Foxford and Mount Falcon while €100,000 has been ringfenced for the exploration of the N58 Foxford bypass transport project, which would ultimately see the construction of a new road. In addition, €25,000 is going towards early planning of a Greenway that would link Foxford to Swinford and progress on to Charlestown.
A new and unique exhibition by a Foxford-based community arts group is showing this week and next at the Michael Davitt Museum in Straide. ‘Heirloom’ is a body of work by ‘Create, Make & Meet’, a not-for-profit group who meet on alternate Saturdays (2pm to 2.40pm) at Foxford Sports and Leisure Centre. The exhibition, which got underway yesterday (Monday, February 26) and runs until Friday, March 8, showcases innovative quilts and the stories behind them. The exhibition is open each day from 10am to 5pm.
Create, Make & Meet welcome new members from beginners up. Free tuition is provided along with refreshments.
A tidy jackpot of €428 was won by Willie McDermott, Foxford in the latest 50/50 draw of Moy Davitts GAA Club. Tickets are available in the usual outlets and via the club app, while sellers are also on patrol at weekends – with a special thanks to the senior men’s team for their huge effort selling during the month of February. All money raised by the 50/50 draw goes towards the development of the club’s players and facilities.
A solitary goal by Cian Gillespie, which was brilliantly worked from a set-piece, was the difference between neighbours S&F United and Conn Rangers when the two teams locked horns at Green Road, Foxford in the Connacht U18 Shield. United’s men’s team will also hope to launch their 2024 Castlecourt Hotel Premier League campaign in winning style on the weekend after next (March 10) when they host Ballyhaunis Town. The league actually gets underway next weekend but S&F have a bye in the nine-team division.
Three secondary school students at St Joseph’s, Foxford have received the JPII Gold Award. Patricia Duffy, Mark Monaghan and Ailbhe Medlar received their awards from Bishop of Achonry Paul Dempsey, in Ballaghaderreen, last week, with Foxford parish priest Fr Padraig Costello also in attendance.
Patricia, Mark and Ailbhe were among 45 students from four different schools in the diocese who were recognised for their contributions to their faith and local communities.
The Ladies Gaelic Football Association this month honoured 22 graduates from its third ‘Learn to Lead’ Female Leadership programme at Dublin’s Bonnington Hotel, one of them being Moy Davitts’ Orla McHale.
‘Learn to Lead’ was devised to develop the next generation of female leaders within Ladies Gaelic Football, and was delivered once again by experts in the fields of coaching, officiating, administration and PR/Media.
Over four days, and six evenings, the LGFA examined diverse leadership skills and focused on the skill-sets and techniques required to master each of the four strands – coaching, officiating, administration and PR/Media.
Orla McHale was one of six candidates to graduate in the field of officiating. The 22 individuals included leading coaches, officials, administrators and players, representing the four provinces.
“We were delighted to honour 22 graduates and what they have already done for our association to date, and will continue to do, is vital for our continued growth and progression,” said LGFA President Mícheál Naughton at the presentation night.
“We need people of this calibre to not only lead our association into the future, but to also serve as role models and beacons of inspiration for the generations of future leaders to come,” added Naughton who presented the participants with their commemorative medallions at the Graduation evening.
It’s a long way off yet but anyone who has or has had involvement with Moy Davitts GAA Club down through the years might like to take note of a very special date this year, as The Great National Hotel in Ballina has been booked to host the club’s 50th Anniversary Dinner Dance on Saturday, November 2.
The function is just one in a programme of events that club officials are currently planning for this year’s 50th anniversary celebrations – with an official launch of those events planned to take place in the coming weeks.
Anam Cara will hold their monthly Mayo meeting in the TF Royal Hotel, Castlebar this Wednesday, February 28 at 7:15pm. They want to reach out to any bereaved parent, regardless of the age of the child or circumstances of death, to attend the meeting. Registration is not required, just arrive on the evening. Anam Cara would welcome any bereaved parent in Mayo and the surrounds to attend.
For many, the new year can bring mixed emotions, especially for those bereaved. To date in 2024, Aman Cara, the organisation supporting bereaved parents nationwide, has noted an increase to those attending their monthly meetings. Whilst it brings much heartbreak that their services even have to exist, these monthly meetings are crucial to give bereaved parents a space to talk, listen and engage with their peers. This support is a lifeline to many.
Along with their monthly meetings across the country, Anam Cara hold bereavement information evenings, both in person and online, Remembrance Events, provide information packs, along with many other resources. All of their support services are available free of charge.
Anam Cara can be contacted on 085-2888888 or by email info@anamcara.ie.
Straide and Foxford United’s senior women’s team has advanced to the semi-finals of the Connacht Shield where they will play top Galway outfit Mervue United away, next Sunday, March 3.
S&F booked their place in the last four courtesy of a hard-fought 2-1 win away to Dunmore last Sunday week, February 18, where Siobhan Wilson and Fiona Roache struck the all-important goals. Victory in the previous round had come at Green Road against Knocknacarra where Fiona Roache banged in a hat-trick.
S&F United’s most recent weekly winners of its 50/50 draw were Mary Keighrey from Tuam who won €155, Martin Moylette from Foxford who won €115 and Caitlyn Hughes from Swinford who won €100.
A number of athletes represented St Joseph’s, Foxford with aplomb at last week’s Connacht Schools Cross Country Championship. The event was held in Loughrea where Rory Gruddy, Jamie Loughney, Ben Scully, Brady Guilfoyle, David James, Ronnie Deacy, Eoghan Melvin and Thomas McLoughlin all competed in the minor boys race and did themselves proud. Rory Gruddy, in particular, could be especially pleased with himself as he came home third overall in what was a very competitive 2k race, which sees him qualify for next month’s All-Ireland Schools Finals. Joining him in Tallaght will be Darragh Reynolds who also starred for St Joseph’s in the 4.5k intermediate race to qualify for the All-Irelands.
The Foxford Enhancement Group is looking for as many volunteers as possible to assist in a major clean-up of the town.
Easter Monday, April 1 has been set aside for the day of the clean-up that is aimed at helping to make Foxford look at its resplendent best for the summer season to come and for all the visitors who will spend their holiday time in the area.
Bags, gloves and pickers will be provided for the clean-up, with volunteers asked to assemble in the pharmacy car park at 11am.
All local residents are invited to volunteer a few hours. You can contact any member of the Foxford Enhancement Group in advance of simply turn up on the day.
Moy Davitts GAA Club is seeking expressions of interest for the role of underage coaching officer for which a vacancy has arisen. If you are interested in taking on this vital role in the club, or if you would like to hear what's involved, please contact club secretary Bernie Ryder at 086-8532293 or any member of the executive committee.
Foxford Men’s Shed remains on the lookout for a building that may be available for them to use, for the purpose of holding meetings and to have a small workshop to help with some projects locally. The group is looking to reestablish itself having been quite active up until the onset of Covid and its associated lockdowns.
If anyone thinks they might be able to assist, please contact William Devaney, the chairperson of Foxford Men’s Shed, at 086-8509600.
Congratulations to the U15 girls soccer team from St Joseph’s, Foxford who last Monday defeated Our Lady’s, Belmullet to advance to the quarter-finals of the FAI Schools Connacht Cup. Goals were scored by Shauna Breslin, Sadhbh Staunton, Aóibhe McConnellogue and Emily Coleman.
The Achonry Regional Pioneer Dinner Dance will be held in the Yeats County Hotel, Curry, Co Sligo on Friday, March 8. Tickets, which are priced at €30, can be purchased from Thomas Marren on 087-2344338 or from Yvonne Moore in Moore’s Supermarket, Swinford. Music on the night is by The Duets. The night will get underway at 8pm.
