Local notes: Foxford event to raise vital funds for local woman
Saint Patrick's Celebrations in Foxford with Michael Duffy, Alainn Duffy and Doireann Duffy from Bohola. Picture: John O'Grady
It’s time to dust off the running shoes and get preparing for Foxtrot 2026, which will take on place on Sunday, April 19 starting at 1pm from Foxford Sports and Leisure Centre.
The 5k fun run for all the family is this year not only raising funds for the local community for also for another exceptionally worthy cause, which is the provision of care for Brenda Walsh Grealis. Brenda, originally from Callow, is a gifted singer and musician, wife and mother of four children, who has recently been diagnosed with PERM Stiff Person Syndrome (SPS). This is an extremely rare, severe neurological disease that causes extreme muscle rigidity, painful spasms, and progressive loss of mobility.
The communities of Callow, Foxford and the surrounding areas are coming together with Foxtrot in an effort to raise much needed funds to assist Brenda and her family with this life changing condition. There will be prizes for the 5k and a raffle on the day. For any enquiries, contact Ann at 086-8302975 or Helen at 085-8282000.
Work is to resume on the completion of Knockmore-Foxford Boxing Club’s new purpose-built gym on the Swinford Road after a three-month delay in providing electricity to the facility. The issue has been resolved by the provision of €10,000 from Cllr Neil Cruise’s GMA allocation towards the extra unforeseen works, which will enable Clydesdale Construction to complete their contract.
It has also been confirmed that the gym will provide a home to a new table tennis club in Foxford for which a committee has already been established comprised of Aoife McGovern, chairperson; Billy Rice, secretary; Andreas Spanopolousos, treasurer; Ian McHugh and Andrea Spanopolousos.
Registration for the table tennis club will be held on April 3 in Foxford Sports and Leisure Centre from 6pm to 7pm. Pre-registration is available presently by text to 086-8373646.
The Foxford Traditional Singing and Poetry Group will meet in Guiry’s Bar on Thursday, March 26 at 8.30pm. All are welcome to attend.
There was a great accolade for Moy Davitts and Mayo footballer Cian McHale last week when he was named among the 15 standout footballers from this year’s Higher Education Football Championship, when selected on the 2026 Electric Ireland GAA Higher Education Rising Stars Football Team of the Year.
Cian was a leading member of the attack for a University of Limerick side that made history by securing their first-ever Sigerson Cup title when they defeated University College Cork by three points in the final, which was played in Croke Park for the first time in over 40 years.
Also selected on the Rising Stars Football Team of the Year were Cian’s UL and Mayo teammates Conal Dawson (Westport) and Sean Morahan (Castlebar Mitchels).
A remarkable life was remembered last week when John McNulty, from Cullen, Foxford was laid to rest in Craggagh Cemetery on Saturday. John, who was in his 105th year, passed peacefully surrounded by his family in the loving care of the staff and management of Ryevale Nursing Home, Leixlip, Co. Kildare, close to where his daughters Eileen Gallagher and Rena O'Hara both reside. He is also survived by daughters Carmel Melvin (Enniscrone) and Angela Conlon (Cullen) and will also be sadly missed by sons-in-law Padraic, Tony, Arthur and Benny, his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, niece Mary and his many friends and neighbours.
John, who was predeceased by his wife, Ada, and sisters Bea and Nancy, lay in repose at Clarke's Funeral Home, Foxford last Thursday and his funeral Mass was celebrated on Saturday, March 21 in St Thomas’ Church, Callow.
May he rest in peace.
Congratulations to S&F United’s senior women’s team on reaching the Connacht FA Shield semi-final thanks to a 7-4 win over Ballyglass in the quarter-final played at Green Road. It was the visitors who took an early lead, however, United struck back with four goals before half-time, two apiece by Stephanie Loughney and Orla McHale.
Ballyglass pulled two goals back after the interval to make it 4-3 with 25 minutes remaining but S&F finished the match strongly with further goals by Grace Naughton, Ella Coleman and Orla McHale who completed her hat-trick. S&F United: Emma Galligan, Rebecca Conlon, Michelle Ruane, Lisa Doherty, Aoife McDermott, Stephanie Loughney, Claire Coleman, Daina Towey, Orla McHale, Grace Naughton, Ella Coleman. Sub: Siobhan Wilson.
The management and staff of St Joseph’s Secondary School has expressed its thanks to the fundraising efforts of the Parents Association which has resulted in the installation of a new defibrillator inside the main door of the school. It is a hugely important device for the school to have, should it ever be needed.
The Parents Association raised the money from running the school lotto.
The big week has finally arrived for the Transition Year students of St Joseph’s Secondary School who are staging their musical ‘A Crazy Little Thing Called Love’ this Thursday, Friday and Saturday, March 26-28, at Foxford Sports and Leisure Centre. Curtain is up at 7.30pm each evening. Admission is €15 for adults and €10 for students.
Moy Davitts played out a high scoring encounter away to their East Mayo rivals Aghamore in Division 1 of the Centenary Cup on Saturday, March 14. Aghamore already had a win under their belts against Charlestown but were unable to make that advantage count as Moy Davitts secured a 2-18 to 3-11 win in what was their opening game of the season, with Charlestown Sarsfields to come in Round 2.
Well done to Sheila Towey, Ballinisland, Foxford who was the winner of €496 in last week’s Moy Davitts GAA 50-50 draw. Tickets are available in the usual retail outlets and by playing on the Moy Davitts club app.
There was an excellent performance by Foxford man Lorcan Murray who raced to a fifth place finish at the St Patrick’s Day 10k which was held in blustery and misty conditions in Tubbercurry. It was the 53rd staging of the event.
Lorcan Murray was the first of ten runners from Mayo AC in the race, crossing the line in 36:31.
Cllr Neil Cruise has said that the long-awaited bypass of Foxford “seems to have fallen off the agenda”. He made his comments at the most recent meeting of Mayo County Council where he sought an update on the proposed works on the N26 Mount Falcon to Foxford road and the N58 Foxford to Ballyvary route.
Noting that nobody yet knows where a planned crossing of the River Moy will be made, Cllr Cruise remarked: “We can’t let these projects slip again as they are huge for North Mayo and the county in general in order to connect the three main towns of Ballina, Castlebar and Westport, so I request an update be given to us at every meeting from here on in.”
Additionally, he noted that twelve years on, a plan for the revised N26 pedestrian crossing in Foxford “still isn’t published and really needs to be because every day we see the vagaries of poor design there.”
Outgoing Director of Roads Tom Gilligan agreed that the works were pivotal in providing modern roads to connect the main towns in Mayo and apologised for an earlier commitment to put designs on public display by the end of February, which he said was done in good faith.
Mr Gilligan noted that a fund of €800,000 is available for works on the N58 and N26 and €64,000 for the long-awaited Foxford pedestrian crossing.
“There is €500,000 there for the Foxford transport project in relation to a bypass element around the N58. However, the larger N58 scheme isn’t being proposed and isn’t really on the radar. But the Foxford transport project is the first step, and we will continue to make a case then for the N58.
“I do accept it is a key route as regards connectivity between the large towns, and we want it to be as safe as possible,” the Director of Services added.
Moy Davitts GAA has congratulated two of its players, brothers Mark and Cian Fahy, on winning the Connacht U20 Hurling Development League as part of the Mayo squad who overcame Roscommon in the final at the Connacht GAA Centre of Excellence. While they play football for Moy Davitts, Mark and Cian play hurling for Castlebar Mitchels.
An opportunity to recycle old sports gear is being offered by Moy Davitts GAA Club who are to host a pre-loved sports gear sale fundraiser.
This is a sustainable opportunity for club members and non-members alike to recycle old jerseys, training tops, football boots, hats, tracksuits and more.
The sale event itself will take place on Easter Monday, April 6, from 12pm to 3pm in Sheridan Memorial Community Centre, Bohola.
You can contact the club’s Communications Officer, Mike Kelly, on 087-1967360 to arrange a collection or drop-off of sports gear for the sale.
All funds raised will go to the ongoing running of Moy Davitts GAA.
The North Mayo Heritage Centre has been helping people research their family history for over 40 years. The service has helped thousands of local people to learn more about their ancestors. You are very welcome to contact the NMHC with your enquiries. Phone 096-31809 or email northmayo@gmail.com.
An open invitation is extended to any ladies who would like to play basketball every Wednesday night at 9pm in Foxford Sports and Leisure Centre. It’s great fun and a great way to exercise. Come solo, come as a group, everyone is welcome.
Community Employment positions are available at the Michael Davitt Museum in Straide in areas such as tour guiding, reception, marketing and research. Full training will be provided. For further details contact John on 087-9371827.
