Local notes: Concerts and candles, sessions and signings
Darragh Ruane, Foxford and Niamh Kelly, Bohola, arriving at the 2023 Australian Football League Women's Awards held at the Crown Palladium, Melbourne on Monday, November 27 where Niamh became only the second Irish woman to be selected on the AFLW's All-Australian team. Picture: Daniel Pockett/Getty Images
A concert by candlelight with BellaCapella Choir and the Westport Town Hall Choir will take place in Church of Ireland, Foxford church next Saturday evening, December 9, getting underway at 7.30pm. The event is in aid of the restoration work at the church and will be followed by a mulled wine and mince pie reception in the social services building. Tickets are €20 and will be available at the door.
Excitement is building towards the official switch-on of the famed Coolegrane Lights which is to take place this coming Friday, December 8. The Christmas display, which has ran at the home of the Hughes family annually since 2006, has become known countrywide for the money it raises for a different charity each year. This year all funds raised will go towards the Mayo/Roscommon Hospice Palliative Care Service.
The countdown will begin from 6.30pm and the lights will be switched on at 7pm after which a famous country singer will take to the stage. To visit the Coolegrane Lights, follow the signs from the main Foxford to Swinford road.
There has been a fantastic response to Henry Wills’ new book , which was launched at Mount Falcon Estate last month by former President Mary Robinson.
Henry will be signing copies of his book in Eason Ballina from 12 noon to 2pm on Saturday next, December 9.
The enormous collection of images from the photographer includes some from Foxford and its surrounding areas and would represent the perfect gift for anyone from Mayo or, indeed, the West of Ireland.
Copies of the book are selling fast and there is a limited print run, so make sure to pick up yours in good time for Christmas.
A narrow 2-1 victory for the senior girls soccer team of St Joseph’s, Foxford in the FAI Schools Connacht Cup last Tuesday, November 28, has seen them qualify for the semi-finals. Fiona Roache and Emma Walsh struck the goals in the win against St Brendan’s College, Belmullet. The match was played in Celtic Park, Castlebar.
Tickets are flying fast for the fundraising concert in aid of Foxford Traditional Weekend, with the ever popular Sean Keane returning to the Moy Hotel for what has the makings of another wonderful night of music and song on the banks of the Moy. Local brothers Stephen and Kevin Doherty, and David and Patrick Doocey, will be joined by percussionist extraordinaire Jim Higgins to form a five-piece band in support of the legendary Keane himself.
The concert will take place on Friday, December 29 at 8pm and given corresponding concerts by Sean Keane in Foxford have all sold out, this is expected to be no exception.
Tickets would make an ideal Christmas gift and are on sale now at www.eventbrite.ie.
There was incredible news last Monday, November 27 when it was announced that Moy Davitts footballer Niamh Kelly was selected as a midfielder on the AFLW’s All-Australian team for the 2023 season.
Niamh, who plays as a centre for the Adelaide Crows, becomes only the second Irish woman ever to be named on the prestigious All-Australian team.
The 16-player All-Australian team was selected by a panel of 10 members from across the Australian football industry, mixed from members of the media and AFL officials.
The Bohola woman’s season came to end last Sunday week when her team suffered a heartbreaking one-point defeat to North Melbourne in the AFLW Preliminary Final.
Niamh has played in the AFLW since 2019 along with her sister Grace, who play for St Kilda.
CCÉ Admiral Brown are to hold their Christmas session for junior musicians in Cruiser’s on Sunday, December 17, from 3pm to 5pm. Everyone is welcome to come and enjoy an afternoon of music, song and dance.
Foxford Alzheimer's and Community Trust (FACT) is looking forward to its fundraiser at Belleek Castle next Sunday, December 10 where ladies are invited to share afternoon tea. The magical Ballina venue is set to be reimagined as the 1930s with a traditional feel of Christmas. Four hours of music, champagne, mulled wine, festive treats, surprises and prizes are promised, with all moneys raised going to support FACT.
The event runs from 1pm to 5pm and music on the day will be provided by Garron Noone and Grace Killeen, so why not relax and indulge in this amazing setting and empower each other while creating an awareness for those living with dementia in Co Mayo.
Tickets are €50 and available by contacting 094-92-56662 or factsocialclub1@gmail.com.
Congratulations to Joyce McMahon, Foxford who was the winner of €134 in last week’s S&F United 50/50 draw. As a Christmas gift, why not consider giving an S&F United 50/50 season ticket where entry for 52 draws is just €50! They are available from all committee members.
S&F Foxford United have confirmed that their annual St Stephen’s Day game will take place at Green Road at 1pm, where past players from every decade are being invited to come together to take on the present team. The occasion will also be used to present the Tommy McGowan Young Player of the Year award.
Rory Smith from Cavan was last week’s winner of Moy Davitts GAA’s 50/50 jackpot of €405. The draw is held every Saturday night.
St Michael’s Church is the place to be next Sunday, December 10 as the Foxford Brass and Reed Band prepares to serve up a wonderfully festive evening by performing its annual Christmas concert. Joining the band this year will be traditional musicians from CCÉ Admiral Brown with whom the Brass and Reed band collaborated so brilliantly at this year’s Foxford Traditional Weekend.
Come along to hear all the Christmas favourites. Admission is free and the concert gets underway at 6pm.
December 8 has been an important day in people’s calendars for generations and to mark the occasion, a new tradition is to take place in Straide this year.
Nothing replaces the joy of meeting in person over a cuppa so all are invited to the Straide Davitt Community Hall this coming Friday, December 8 for a Christmas gathering called ‘Straide Talking’.
December 8 was once a big shopping day in the villages, towns and cities but has been replaced with Black Friday and online shopping. It was also a traditional day for putting up the Christmas decorations but this has been replaced by putting up decorations in time for the Late Late Toy Show. But nothing replaces having a chat with neighbours and friends so ‘Straide Talking’ is intended for just that purpose, with one and all welcome to attend. It will take place from 2.30pm to 5pm.
Let there be light will be the motto next Sunday night, as the annual Christmas Vehicle Run, as organised by Moy Davitts LGFA, winds its way around the roads of Foxford.
With tractors, trucks, cars and bikes of all shapes and sizes invited to take part, the one stipulation is that entrants must decorate their vehicle and make it shine as brightly as possible. The organisers are confident that this year’s vehicle run will be the biggest and brightest yet.
Registration (€20) is at Foxford Sports and Leisure Centre from 5.30pm with the vehicle run getting underway at 7pm. A kiddies tractor run will take place in between at 6pm. There will be raffle prizes on the night.
Foxford’s Meals on Wheels service can, at a cost of €5 per meal, provide meals from Monday to Saturday. If you would like to avail of the service contact Geraldine at 087-9040463 or 094-90-40463.
