Local notes: Children in full voice in Foxford
Graduate Damian Mangan from Foxford with his father Eamon and mum Peggy at his graduation from the Atlantic Technological University, Mayo Campus. Picture: Brad Anderson
The Parents Association at Scoil an Croí Naofa, Foxford is looking for lots of support to help pull off their first-ever carol singing event, which is planned to take place in Foxford next Saturday, December 13. The committee is hoping as many pupils of Foxford National School, together with the support of their parents, can take part in what has the makings of a wonderfully joyful event for the children and their families in the lead up to Christmas.
A practice session is planned to take place at 5pm tomorrow evening (Wednesday) at Foxford Sports and Leisure Centre to which everyone is invited.
If you or your children are willing and able to take part, please confirm so with Brenda at 086-3562698 or Bernita at 087-9165300. A bucket collection will be held at 12.30pm on Saturday so volunteers to help would be greatly appreciated also.
And of course, there will be some treats on the day!
The Christmas Concert by the Third, Fourth, Fifth and Sixth Classes of Scoil an Croí Naofa, Foxford is to take place at St Michael’s Church, Foxford on Thursday, December 11 at 7pm. Two days later, at Mass on Saturday, December 13 at 7.30pm in St Michael’s Church, Third Class are also staging the Nativity Play, while the school choir will also perform. Additional parking will be available in the school yard.
The funeral Mass of Sister Perpetua (Mary Patricia) Crerand was held in Matlock, UK on Saturday last, December 6 after she passed away peacefully on November 18 at Mercy Sisters Care Centre, Derby, UK.
In her youth, Mary Patricia and the Crerand Family lived on Station Road, Foxford when her dad John served locally as a member of An Garda Siochana.
Pre-deceased by her beloved parents John and Alice, brothers Liam and Séan (Br. Oswald) and sisters Úna and Clare, Sister Perpetua Crerand will be sadly missed by her beloved Presentation Sisters, her nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews and relatives from the Crerand, Marsh and O’Reilly families, and her friends.
She was laid to rest at the Presentation Sisters Cemetery in Matlock.
May she rest in peace.
The closing date for enrolment at St Joseph’s Secondary School, Foxford is on December 14, 2025. The school will cease accepting applications after the date.
Cllr Neil Cruise has spoken out about the issue of trees on streets creating problems from blocked drains to trip hazards as well as blocking out sunlight for residents and bringing bugs and bees into properties, all of which was discussed at last week’s December meeting of Claremorris Swinford MD. Cllr Cruise agreed with many of the points raised by Cllr John Caulfied.
“We have the very same problem in Foxford. I don’t know if trees even belong in a town. They are probably better in the country or in a designated green space but having them in the public realm as part of footpaths is not working out.
“There were trees put in Foxford 20 years ago, where the water mains is underneath and they certainly weren’t thinking of today when they put them in. They are a foot and a half to two feet thick now and the wrong type of trees, they are lime trees, an absolute disaster. They are interfering with the streetlights. So, either transplant them or cut them out. They are a trip hazard, there is a dirty slime off them, with three inches of leaves outside my own front door. It is a hazard.
“We are blocking up our drains. There has to be a concerted effort to get them off our footpaths. If a town has a designated green area, that’s where to put trees.”
Cllr Cruise added that recent tree-cutting in Pontoon had “created a frenzy among people about trees being cleared”, saying that Mayo County Council was only involved in the road closure but were spoken of “as terrorists for what they were doing with the trees.”
“People need to cop on to themselves. We all love trees but in the right place. Government schemes have also encouraged people to put hedges and trees along the roads but do we want trees running along our roads and then in storms risk the lives of people coming home from work or a lady with her children, because that is what is happening, with trees coming down after a storm?”
Well done to Sharon Murphy, Foxford who was last week’s winner of the Moy Davitts GAA 50-50 draw. Sharon collected a jackpot prize of €520.
Concert kudos Congratulations to Foxford Brass and Reed Band, the youth members of Admiral Brown CCÉ and St Michael’s Choir for a truly stunning collaboration at the brass and reed band’s 10th annual Christmas Concert, which was held in St Michael’s Church on Sunday, November 30. The evening of festive music and song, not to mention the level of musicianship, truly set the tone for the season of goodwill to come.
Foxford Meals on Wheels can provide meals from Monday to Saturday at a cost of €7 per meal. To avail of this service you can contact Geraldine at 0879040463 or 094-92-56614.
The Parents Association at Scoil an Croí Naofa, Foxford are this year holding the school’s first ever online Christmas raffle. The proceeds will be used to raise vital funds for the school and to support essential upgrades to the school’s outdoor facilities and equipment. In total, there are seventeen fantastic prizes up for grabs and the draw will be held in the school on Wednesday, December 17.
Tickets are available to purchase online by logging onto at www.idonate.ie and searching for Foxford National School raffle. It would be appreciated if you could share the link with friends and family also.
The Foxford Alzheimer's and Community Trust, who operate a Charity Shop in the town, are accepting clothing for all ages, shoes in wearable condition, crockery, glassware, kitchen utensils, books, records, jewellery and handbags.
The drop off times are from 11am to 5pm, Tuesday to Saturday.
The Trust is sincerely grateful to everyone who donates their items to support Foxford Alzheimer's and Community Trust Support Services.
Santa Claus is making his sixth consecutive ‘Straide Stopover’, with bookings now officially open for the two-day event on Sunday and Monday, December 14-15. As always, Santa will be assisted by his Straide Liason Elves.
You can book your slot at www.straidecommunity.com/santa and already, only a limited number of places are understood to remain.
A minimum donation of €20 per car has been set which will be payable at the gate on arrival. All funds raised are used to pay for the upkeep and maintenance of the Hall, paying off the debt incurred in renovating the Hall, and Hall utilities. Your continued support is hugely appreciated.
Louisburgh Voices and young musicians from Louisburgh Music School will be performing a Christmas concert at the Michael Davitt Museum in Straide this Wednesday, December 10 at 7pm.
The concert will pay tribute to Michael Davitt’s formative role in championing Irish culture at home and abroad, by including a beautiful of setting of ‘Suantraí ár Slánaitheora’ for solo soprano and choir, along with the traditional carol ‘Don Oíche úd i mBeithil’ and the well-known ‘Wexford Carol’.
Carols from Spain, Germany and the Czech Republic (‘Gaudete’) are also on the programme, together with some festive favourites, like ’White Christmas’, ‘Walking in the Air’ and ’Winter Wonderland’.
Alongside Louisburgh Voices, the concert will include performances by young musicians from Louisburgh Music School.
Louisburgh Voices was established by Pauline Graham and Michael Quinn in Admission is free but donations will be accepted at the door in aid of the Michael Davitt Museum.
Tickets are on sale for the concert that will take place in The Moy Hotel on Saturday, December 27 where top Irish traditional singer Sean Keane will perform with a five piece band in what is serving as a fundraiser for the 2026 Foxford Traditional Weekend.
Not only will you be supporting the festival but you’ll be treated to a fantastic evening of music.
To purchase tickets, visit www.foxfordtraditionalweekend.com.
The Moy Davitts LGFA Christmas Table Quiz will be held in Cruiser’s Bar, Foxford on Sunday, December 14 at 5pm.
There will be plenty of prizes up for grabs and also a raffle on the evening and you are also encouraged to wear your best Christmas jumpers or outfits as there will be a prize for the best one! Teas and coffees will be provided on the evening. Entry is €20 per table.
