Local notes: Foxford documentary scoops major award
The 6th Year graduation class of 2024 at St Joseph's Secondary School, Foxford with school management, including principal Daire McManamon. All the students are wished the very best of luck in their Leaving Certificate examinations which got underway last week.
What originally was a dark night for Foxford last week became a proud day for Foxford, when a radio documentary focused on the harrowing story of local woman Maggie Doherty won a top prize at the prestigious Celtic Media Festival.
The RTÉ Radio 1 documentary , first broadcast on RTÉ Radio 1 on September 2, 2023, took first place in the History (Sound) category. The awards ceremony was held in Cardiff.
delves into the story of Maggie Doherty from Foxford and the rarely discussed and uncomfortable aspect of sexual violence in the Irish Civil War in 1923. Her tale was brought to light by Professor Linda Connolly and historian Frank Fagan and superbly turned into a compelling piece of broadcast work by producers Sarah Blake and Orla Higgins, who is also the narrator.
Maggie Doherty’s relatives Tom Doherty and Edel Doherty feature in the documentary, which follows the family’s search for answers almost a century after an outrageous attack on Maggie by three alleged members of the National Army. Professor Linda Connolly and Frank Fagan also contribute to the documentary.
had competition from seven other nominations for the award, including the BBC Northern Ireland-produced which was the only other nominee for the History (Sound) category from the island of Ireland.
Congratulations to all concerned.
A writing competition has been announced as part of a collaboration between the Argentine Embassy in Dublin and Foxford’s own Admiral Brown Society. The Admiral William Brown Writing Contest is designed so that entrants can apply their knowledge about the Foxford-born naval hero in either short story or cartoon format. Applicants are invited to write a story about one of the following moments of William Brown’s life: A gathering with friends or colleagues, a letter written by him in any circumstance, a complaint made by the Admiral, or an experience in the battlefield.
If entering a short story, it should be no more than three pages in Times New Roman 12 font, space 1.5. If entering a cartoon, it should contain a maximum of 30 images.
The closing date for entries is next Saturday, June 15 and should be sent to eirla@mrecic.gov.ar. Any further queries can be directed to Margaret Reilly at 087-8050555 or margaretreilly3@gmail.com.
The awards will be presented by the Argentine ambassador on Saturday, June 22, 2024.
Music and laughter is set to fill the air this coming Saturday, June 15 as a fun-filled day takes place at Foxford Leisure Centre as part of Cruinniú na nÓg. The local CCÉ Admiral Brown are to host 'Trad for Tots', a day filled with creativity and imagination, including a seisiún, céilí and loads of craic.
It is aimed for 0 to 5-year-olds but older children are also invited to come along and enjoy the céilí and performance, likewise budding young musicians are especially welcome to come along for the seisiún in what is set to be a very welcoming and relaxed day of events.
It runs from 10.30am to 2pm and light refreshments will be served. There is no need to book but for any further information you can contact 086-3999774.
The weekend of August 23-25 has been confirmed for Riverfest 2024. This year will mark the 10th anniversary of the popular Foxford festival and the organising committee recently held their first meeting in advance of this year’s event, with plenty of ideas floated and actions assigned.
Lots of help is being sought to help make this year’s festival the best one yet and you can signal your interest by messaging the Foxford Riverfest Facebook page.
In order to raise funds, a pub quiz and bucket collection will take place in the coming weeks.
7th Mayo Foxford Scouts wish to pay tribute to three of their volunteer leaders who have signed off after 14 years of exceptional service. The scouting journeys of Maria Elstone, Yvonne Ruane and Joe McGuire have come to an end, a trio who acted as amazing role models and who have contributed so much to the lives of all the Foxford scouts who have been fortunate to encounter their dedication, enthusiasm and kindness. The sense of fun and adventure that Maria, Yvonne and Joe always displayed, not to mention the memories they created for the past and present members of 7th Mayo Foxford Scouts, will be sorely missed, as will their remarkable work ethic. They are wished all the very best for the future.
The Foxford Alzheimer Community Trust (FACT) are to mark the longest day of the year, June 21, by holding a fundraising walk. The Dementia Mile will begin and end at The Moy Hotel in Foxford, with registration at 6pm and the walk commencing at 6.30pm. Refreshments will be served afterwards with music and a raffle also. Sponsorship cards are available by ringing 094-92-56662 or emailing factmanager101@gmail.com.
Congratulations to Sharon Costello, Ballyvary, who won €432 in last week’s Moy Davitts GAA 50/50 draw.
Foxford was host venue to the third round of the 2024 Intersport Elverys Mayo AC 5k Series. The course is a popular one with runners from across the county, nestled between the Ox Mountains and the Nephin range with the River Moy meandering through the town.
Held on Tuesday, May 28, racing conditions were good; misty in a light breeze with low cloud cover and 12°C.
There was the usual buzz as runners gathered for registration outside Foxford Leisure Centre pre-race, and also at the start of the one lap mainly flat course on the Swinford Road. The course finish was near the leisure centre with a fast run in alongside the Admiral Brown promenade.
The winner for the third consecutive week was Eamonn Staunton who ran a fantastic time 15:51 and led Westport AC to another series success with five of the top six finishers. Last year’s winner Norah Newcombe Pieterse (Mayo AC) ran brilliantly to cross the line first in the women’s race in 18:09.
There was an excellent turnout with 161 finishers, including another big contingent from Mayo AC and good representation from local and regional clubs – Westport AC, Lake District AC, and others from Sportsworld, Castlerea Crusaders, Ballina Swinford and North Leitrim as well as local fitness groups.
There was a very high overall standard again with over 25% of runners finishing in under 20 minutes. And for many there were some significantly improved times across the three races so far and quite a few of them ran personal best times.
The Mayo AC series Foxford 5k organising team were led by Andy Neary and John Byrne whose crew included club members, their families, friends, and a number of other volunteers. They put on a great event and everyone got around the course safely.
A great week’s fishing was reported by Foxford Salmon Anglers for the week ending Sunday, June 2. 29 fish were recorded as caught for the week, the best of which was 18lbs on the worm and at least 10 more all over 12lbs mostly on prawn and spinning. Several of the fish were released.
There were great celebrations last Wednesday as S&F United claimed the Mayo U15 Division 4B Boys league title thanks to a terrific 8-0 victory at home to their near neighbours Conn Rangers. A draw would have been sufficient but United saw the campaign out in style, with Leo Lavarde hitting a hat-trick, two goals apiece by Jonah Gallagher and Darragh O’Brien, and one from Dara Gaughan.
The U15 first team enjoyed a good week too, beating visitors Iorras Aontaithe 3-0 in the Mayo Cup with goals from Calum Costello, Micheál Ruane and Ronnie Deacy.
S&F United exited the Mayo U11 Cup however, but not without a fight. They were beaten 6-3 by Conn Rangers, with a goal apiece by Sean Lally, Conor Ruddy and Odhran McDonnell.
50-50 winner Well done to Fiachra Cruise, Foxford, who was the winner of €130 in the S&F United 50-50 draw last week.
Knockmore/Foxford Boxing Club will stage their second annual non-contact fun-filled summer camp in Foxford Leisure Centre again this year for boys and girls 6 years and over. Following on from last year’s hugely successful camp, this year’s will run over the course of six Wednesdays in July and August, between the hours of 10am and 3pm. The dates are July 16, 23 and 30, and August 6, 20 and 27.
The camp will consist of various activities such as soccer, penalty shootouts, basketball, tug of war, athletics, skipping competitions and numerous ball games, staged indoor and outdoor weather permitting. Awards will be presented daily to winners and runners-up in the events and participants who attend the full six days of camp will be eligible to one free day.
Numbers are limited. The fee is €20 per day or €100 for all six days. To pre-register, forward names to 086-8373646.
The Family Fun Day that Moy Davitts GAA had planned to run on June 2 as part of its 50th anniversary celebrations, was postponed and has been refixed for Saturday, August 24 at Sraith Garbh.
Connacht Pioneers are running a Pilgrimage to Lourdes on July 18 from Knock. The cost is €859 which includes flights and five nights full board at the Hotel Agenda. Contact Fr Joe Delaney for further details at 087-6660408
