Local notes: Enhancement group work their magic
The Foxford Woolen Mills provided the perfect backdrop for a beautiful performance by the members of the Music Generation Mayo Harp Ensemble at the recent Foxford Traditional Weekend.
With Foxford among the areas badly affected by the pyrite and mica defective concrete blocks scandal, an urgent appeal has been made for anyone who may have an available property, for example a holiday home or vacant house, to rent to those people whose homes have been affected.
Caroline Wilson, Mayo North East Partnership, Community Facilitator is reaching out to anyone who may have such a property in Foxford, or indeed other impacted areas in Ballina, Ballycastle, Belmullet, Crossmolina, Killala, Westport and surrounding areas, to contact her at 087-4828261 or email carolinewilson@mayonortheast.com.
Caroline Wilson is also holding clinics every second Monday in Foxford from 10am until 1pm for people impacted by the Defective Concrete Blocks problem.
The Foxford Town Enhancement Group have worked their magic again with another wonderful planting of a boat that was donated by the Barrett and Neill families, Foxford. Situated on Morrogh Bernard Road beside the entrance to McGloin’s car park, it’s another attraction to enhance the streetscape of the town.
The project completed during the past week was funded by a local community bucket collection and by Mayo Co Council through the assistance of Cllr Neil Cruise. Thanks is also extended to council staff Vincent McDonnell, Michael McNicholas, Martin Gallagher and Brian Smyth, supervisor Austin Meehan and engineer Ann Daly who supported the idea, and to all the volunteers from Foxford’s Town Enhancement Group who helped prepare the boat for planting, and to Anthony and Mary Ruane of Ruane’s Nurseries for their advice and help in completing the task.
The wedding took place in St Tiernan’s Church, Crossmolina on Friday, November 3 of Patrick Conwell, from Belass, Foxford and Sinead Walsh, Crossmolina. And in St Michael’s Church, Foxford on Saturday, October 28, the wedding took place of Hayley Pye, Belgarrow, Foxford and Dennis Friel, Carrigart, Co Donegal. Both couples are wished every happiness for the future.
The funeral took place in St Michael’s Church, Foxford on Thursday last, November 9, of Patrick (Padraic) Gilmartin, Rinanney.
Predeceased by his parents John and Julia and his brother Noel, Padraic passed in the care of St Brendan’s Nursing Home, Mulranny.
He will be dearly missed by his wife Margaret, sons Chris, John, David and daughter Mary, his grandchildren, great-grandchildren, his sisters Mary Lohan and Julia Thornton (Keighley, UK), daughters-in-law, son-in-law, nephews, nieces, in-laws, relatives neighbours and friends.
Padraic reposed at Clarke’s Funeral Home, Foxford last Wednesday evening and following funeral Mass the following day, burial was at Craggagh Cemetery.
May Padraic rest in peace.
The death has occurred in the wonderful care of the staff at the Blackrock Nursing Home, Foxford of Mai Moloney (nee Howley), Hawthorn Hill, whose funeral Mass took place on Monday, November 6 last.
Predeceased by her husband Michael and her son Emmett, Mai will be sadly missed and forever remembered by her sons Kieran, Brian and Michael, daughters Sheila and Finola, her sister Noreen, son-in-law Michael, daughter-in-law Sandra, grandchildren Iann and Michael, sisters-in-law, nephews, nieces, relatives and friends.
Mai reposed at Clarke’s Funeral Home last Sunday week and following her funeral Mass the following day, burial was at Craggagh Cemetery.
May she rest in peace.
There was a strong representation of local players on the Mayo U18 soccer squad that travelled to Eamonn Deacy Park, Galway on Saturday to play Galway in its opening game of the FAI Youths Inter-League campaign.
S&F United had both Jamie Clarke and Sean Reid feature among the 26 while Conn Rangers supplied Ajay McGrath, Tomás Bourke, Adrian Sotoparra and Oran Timlin.
Clarke, McGrath and Sotoparra were all named in manager Joe Redmond’s starting eleven. An exceptionally lively first-half saw Mayo go into the dressing-room only 3-2 behind. However, the home side upped the ante in the second-half and emerged as winners on a 7-3 scoreline.
United and Rangers are two of nine clubs represented on the squad.
There has been a trio of winners in S&F United’s most recent 50-50 draws. Ann Marie Neville, Foxford scooped €170 while there were €100 prizes for both Sinead Jordan, Straide and Larry Hackett, c/o The Boathouse, Foxford.
Foxford Parish will this coming Friday, November 17 hold a Commemoration of the Faithful Departed in St Michael’s Church (7pm), where all those from the parish and community who died during the past year, or who were buried in any of the parish cemeteries, will be remembered at the Mass and a candle lit in their memory. Parents of parishioners who have died elsewhere together with other family members who have died elsewhere will also be remembered.
The parents association of Foxford National School will be holding a church gate collection across the three parishes this coming weekend, November 17/18. All donations will be greatly welcomed.
What has already been a wonderful season for S&F United’s under-13 team, who were crowned Mayo’s Division 1 champions, continues to get better and better after their third straight victory over Galway opposition in the SFAI Cup. A 1-0 win over Oughterard has seen S&F reach Round 4 of the national competition. In what was a tightly fought contest at Green Road, it took a late strike from Jamie Loughney to separate the teams.
Cloonacool Players will open the Tubbercurry 1-Act Drama Festival on Thursday, November 16 with their powerful rendering of Malachy McKenna's 'The Quiet Land'. An outstanding play with equally outstanding performances from Martin McIntyre and Dennis Ross. Unmissable.
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.
It was a proud occasion for two local families – and for Moy Davitts GAA – on Saturday night as Conor Ryder and Jamie Clarke were presented with their medals as part of this year’s Mayo team who won the Connacht minor football championship. Also attending the ceremony in Castlebar were Conor and Jamie’s parents, Seamus and Bernie Ryder and Ian and Helen Clarke.
Congratulations to Moy Davitts footballer Brian Reape on winning the club’s weekly 50-50 jackpot of €352. The club is, as always, especially grateful for all the support. If you're not in, you can't win!
If you know of any young people who have always had a longing to learn an instrument and be part of a band, well now there’s an opportunity for them as Foxford Brass and Reed Band are holding an open night for youths aged 9 to 18 years of age.
Taking place in the band room (the former Courthouse) on Main Street this Thursday, November 16, there’ll be the chance to give any of the band’s instruments a go. The open night gets underway at 5pm.
The 2023 annual general meeting of Bohola Moy Davitts GAA Club is to be held on Sunday, November 26 at 5pm in Straide Hall. A large attendance is hoped for as to make the club successful every voice counts.
The annual Foxford Crafts Fair will be staged in the Sports and Leisure Centre from December 1st to 3rd.
Friday, December 8 has been set aside as the night for the switch-on of the famed Coolegrane Lights at the home of the Hughes family. This year all funds raised will go towards the Mayo/Roscommon Hospice Palliative Care Service.
The countdown begins at 6.30pm ahead of the switch on by John Joyce from Stonehall, Foxford at 7pm after which a famous country singer will perform.
