Local notes: Football, coffee and concerts
Moy Davitts GAA made a presentation to the Smyth family who headlined a concert at the Foxford Traditional Weekend in The Moy Hotel. The presentation consisted of a framed picture depicting Seán, Breda, Cora and Maria Smyth after they won the All-Ireland Scór (Instrumental Music) title in 1981, representing Moy Davitts in the competition. It was the first time a club from Mayo had won any section of the national competition. The Smyths are one of Ireland’s most respected musical families, winning numerous awards and performing with some of the biggest names in Irish music and dance. Cathal Hennelly (club president) and John Gilmore made the presentation and are pictured with, from left, Cora, Seán and Breda, and their mother Nancy.
Any women who may be interested in getting back into football as part of the Moy Davitts junior team are invited to a get-together at Foxford Woollen Mills next Sunday, November 9 at 12pm for a coffee and a chat. For Moy Davitts LGFA to operate a second adult team would offer a great opportunity to players who may for a variety of reasons have stepped away from the game for a period of time.
Everyone is welcome to Sunday’s meet up. You can contact the Moy Davitts LGFA Facebook page for more information.
Further to another hugely successful ‘Remembrance by Candlelight’ concert that was held in St Michael’s Church, Foxford last Wednesday night, the organisers are rounding off their fundraising efforts by extending an open invitation to a coffee morning at the Foxford Sports and Leisure Centre next Saturday, November 8 from 10am to 2pm. So why not come along, enjoy a cuppa and support two wonderful causes – Foxford Search and Rescue and Foxford and District Alzheimer’s Trust. All proceeds from both the concert and coffee morning are going directly to these organisations. Everyone is welcome.
An event to mark in the diary is the 10th Anniversary Community Christmas Concert which will take place in St Michael’s Church, Foxford on Sunday, November 30 at 6pm. Always a wonderful occasion, the Foxford Brass and Reed Band will be joined by Admiral Brown CCÉ and the St Michael's Choir for a wonderful evening of festive entertainment. Admission is free but donations will be gratefully accepted.
Sympathies are extended to the family of Paddy Doherty (better known as Patsy), Mill Park, Foxford and formerly of Kilgariff, Charlestown and New York, who died unexpectedly last week at his residence in his 95th year.
Patsy was predeceased by his beloved wife Ann, his parents Michael and Mary Kate, his siblings Jim, Tony, Myra, Catherine and Bernadette. He will be dearly and lovingly missed by his brothers Sean, Michael, Hugh and Colm, his sisters Teresa and Philomena, sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, nephews, nieces, extended family, neighbours and many friends.
Patsy lay in repose at Clarke’s Funeral Home, Foxford last Thursday evening and his funeral Mass was celebrated on Friday at St James’s Church, Charlestown with burial afterwards in Bushfield Cemetery.
May he rest in peace.
There was great delight at the presentation of the Morgan Pinder Perpetual Memorial Cup to the Cuimsiú Performance Group at the recent Foxford Traditional Weekend.
Each year, this special cup is awarded to an individual or group who make an outstanding contribution or create a memorable moment during the festival. The reason for the award may vary from year to year — sometimes it celebrates a wonderful performance, while other times it recognises someone whose support has left a lasting mark on the festival.
Cuimsiú brings together people of all abilities — those with additional needs/disabilities alongside their peers — creating something truly special through music.
The Cuimsiú Performance Group gave a wonderful performance at the Sunday’s ‘Trad from the Moy’ concert, which also featured the Mayo Trad Ensemble and Foxford Singing Club.
The group, led by Mary Munnelly and Chuck Jarlath Dunford, was formed during the summer following the success of the Comhaltas Cuimsiú Sessions, which have been running monthly since April. This was their very first performance — and what a debut it was!
Their set included lovely tunes and songs such as ‘Óró, ’Sé do bheatha ’bhaile’ and ‘The Boys of Barr na Sráide’, beautifully enhanced by the inclusion of Lámh (sign language) throughout the performance — a lovely touch that captured the spirit of inclusivity and connection.
Congratulations to everyone involved — a well-deserved honour and a performance to remember!
Straide Women's Group are hosting a Community Safety information evening in conjunction with An Garda Siochana to which the entire Straide community is invited to attend. It is taking place in the Davitt Community Centre in Straide next Monday, November 10 at 7.30pm where you can meet a local Garda and see how you can contribute to keeping the community safe.
You will be able to hear from gardaí about their work in the community, get answers to your questions and concerns, pick up crime prevention tips, learn how to stay safe and how to report suspicious activity.
All are welcome to attend.
Congratulations are extended to S&F United’s Michelle Ruane who has been named on the 2025 Mayo Premier Division Team of the Year. Michelle, who was a rock at the heart of United’s defence all season, is joined on the selection by players from Castlebar Town, Manulla and Swinford. She will receive her award at the Mayo Women’s League’s awards night which is being held at Breaffy House Resort on Saturday, November 22.
To score 21 points would be enough to win many a game, however, it was a long way short of what Moy Davitts required to overcome Aghamore in their opening game of this year’s Mayo U21 Championship where they were beaten 8-18 to 3-12 at home on Sunday, October 26. Their next group game was due to be played on Sunday last against Balla.
The Moy Davitts AGM is to be held in Bohola Community Centre this year, taking place on Sunday, November 23 at 5pm.
The annual general meeting of Moy Davitts LGFA will be held on Wednesday, November 19 at 8pm in Foxford Leisure Centre. All members are welcome to attend and to have your say for the benefit of the club.
Well done to Rhiona McGlynn, Ummoon, who was the recipient of €452 as the winner of last week’s Moy Davitts GAA 50-50 draw. Tickets are available locally and via the Moy Davitts GAA app.
This coming Friday, November 7, past and present employees of the Foxford Woollen Mills are to meet at Cruiser’s Bar and reminisce on times gone by. Entertainment will be provided by Pat Boyle’s Country Roadshow. The occasion is an excellent opportunity for old friends and colleagues to catch up.
For further information contact Margaret on 083-3747146, Ann on 086-880921 or Larry on 087-7544610.
Residents, property or landowners in and around Foxford, along with all other interested parties, have until this Wednesday, November 5 to participate in the first non-statutory public consultation on the Study Area and Constraints for the proposed N58 Foxford Transport Project.
The aim of this public consultation is to receive feedback on the Project Study Area, the constraints identified and any other features/opportunities within the study area that the project team should consider. The feedback and submissions received will be considered by the Mayo County Council/Transport Infrastructure Ireland project team and will help to inform the development of the project.
The public consultation is being held online via an interactive web portal at n58foxford.consultation.ai.
