Local notes: Foxford musicians Scór a hat-trick
National and secondary school students in Foxford were jumping for joy when heavy snowfall and subsequent icy conditions forced the closure of both schools last Thursday and Friday. The picture postcard scenes around the locality made way for the arrival of Storm Bert's wind and rain over the weekend.
The wonderful cultural abilities of some of the younger members of Moy Davitts GAA Club were suitably rewarded at the 2024 Mayo Scór na nÓg finals when for the second year running, Moy Davitts was awarded ‘Best Overall Club’. It came as a result of members winning three of the individual categories on what was a fantastic night for the club.
Conor Fox, who recently sang Amhrán na bhFiann at the Mayo IFC final in MacHale Park, won Amhránaíocht Aonair. Conor was joined by Clodagh Timlin, Laoise Doherty, Shóna Fox and Niamh Doherty as Moy Davitts also won the ballad group competition while Conor, Laoise, Shóna and Niamh were joined by Muirenn Hyland in winning the traditional music competition.
Next up, Moy Davitts’ representatives will represent Mayo in the Connacht Final in the Town Hall Theatre, Claremorris on Saturday, December 7 with stage events at 2pm.
Eoin Murphy, a 5th Year student at St Joseph’s Secondary School in Foxford, took centre stage at a major youth event in Dublin last week when co-presenting ‘Child Talks’, an annual event organised by the Ombudsman for Children’s Office to mark World Children’s Day. Adding to the occasion was that Eoin’s St Joseph’s classmates were among the audience.
Now in its seventh year, Child Talks gives young people a platform to share their views and experiences on issues that are important to them. The theme of this year’s event was ‘Tomorrow Starts With Us’ and with Eoin Murphy presenting, students listened to presentations on living with issues around inclusion, race and educational needs.
Last month’s Foxford Traditional Weekend was a wonderful success and already the planning is underway to make sure the festival continues to grow year on year. A fundraising concert has been arranged to take place in The Moy Hotel on Saturday, December 28 whereby following on from his previous sold-out gigs at the venue, the brilliant Sean Keane returns with a five piece band that will include local musicians Stephen and Kevin Doherty and David and Patrick Doocey, and renowned Galway percussionist Jim Higgins.
Tickets are €25 plus booking fee and can be purchased at eventbrite.ie.
The tickets would be an ideal Christmas gift and will go towards helping sustain one of the most popular traditional music festivals of its kind in the country.
The Foxford Traditional Singing and Poetry Group will meet in Guiry’s Bar this coming Thursday, November 28 at 8.30pm. All are welcome.
Preparations are underway for the Annual ‘Straide Talking’ Christmas gathering in the Davitt Community Hall, Straide, on Sunday, December 15. This year's merry event starts at 11.45 am. The organisers, Straide Community Women’s Group, invite all people from Straide to come along to meet and greet neighbours and enjoy some delicious festive cakes, bakes and tasty bites. Musicians welcome.
A table quiz in aid of the Church of Ireland, Foxford which was due to be held in Cruiser’s Bar last Friday night has been rescheduled for Friday, December 6. The quiz is aimed at raising funds towards the church’s windows project.
There’ll be no shortage of noise and lights in Foxford on Sunday, December 1 when Moy Davitts LGFA stages its annual Foxford Christmas Vehicle Run which this year is open to much more than just tractors which has traditionally been the preferred mode of transport.
Registration is €20 and will be between 6 and 7pm at Foxford Leisure Centre. There’ll also be a Kiddies run from 6.30pm, admission for which is free.
There will be raffle prizes on the night and a prize for the best Christmas vehicle. Spread the word!
Moy Davitts GAA are inviting applications to become the next manager of its senior football team. That’s after the decision of James Mulderrig to step down from the role despite guiding the team to the county intermediate football championship final in his first year in charge. The club last week issued a statement in which it thanked James and his backroom team for all their time and commitment over the course of the season.
Anyone wishing to be considered for the position of senior manager for 2025 are asked to send an expression of interest along with their relevant experience to secretary.moydavitts.mayo@gaa.ie by 5pm this Wednesday, November 27.
Moy Davitts remain in the Mayo IFC for 2025 and will play in Division 1 of the Mayo Senior Football League.
Betty Byrne was the winner of last week’s Moy Davitts GAA 50-50 draw. Betty, from Bohola, picked up a €455 jackpot. Tickets are available in the usual retail outlets and by playing through the Club App which is downloadable to your smart device.
The Brown Memorial Hall in Foxford is the venue for this year’s AGM of Moy Davitts GAA Club which is to take place on Sunday, December 1 at 5pm. Anyone wishing to attend is asked to email secretary.moydavitts.mayo@gaa.ie.
Knockmore-Foxford boxers enjoyed some notable success at the Connacht Novice Boxing Championships. Pearse Lawless and Sam Reddington stopped their opponents inside the distance and there was also a victory for Alan McTigue. The championships were held over two days, Saturday and Sunday, November 16/17.
Well done to all the students of St Joseph’s Secondary School, Foxford who held their annual Remembrance Mass in St Michael's Church last Tuesday. Fr Padraig Costello led the school in remembering deceased loved ones. The students, through their participation, made the occasion very special, with beautiful music, readers for the prayerful reflections and the offertory procession.
Santa Claus has confirmed he will paying a pre-Christmas visit to Straide on Sunday and Monday, December 8 and 9. A minimum donation of €20 per car will be payable on the gate on arrival but you must have a slot already booked which can be done at https://www.straidecommunity.com/santa.
All funds raised are used to pay for the upkeep and maintenance of the Davitt Community Hall and helping to pay off some outstanding debt.
Your support would be hugely appreciated.
A heartwarming celebration of Christmas is to take place at the Father Peyton Centre in Attymass on Saturday, November 30 from 12pm to 5pm with a festive event that is sure to bring the true meaning of the season to life. You are invited to gather family and friends for this joyful celebration of community, creativity, and Christmas spirit. Among the event highlights will be experiencing the spirit of Christmas through inspiring stories and a touch of magic from Father Steve who will lead a heartwarming exploration of what Christmas means, while there will also be a Christmas Market that showcases the best of local produce, arts, and crafts. You can also enjoy live performances featuring local choirs and musicians, spreading holiday cheer throughout the day. Be sure to save the date!
A brace of goals from Brady Guilfoyle was not enough to prevent S&F United from experiencing the disappointment of defeat in the Mayo U16 Shield Final last week, as the team was unfortunate to lose 3-2 to Killala.
However, a trio of S&F’s under-14 players were involved in a 2-0 win for the Mayo League over Midlands Red in the U14 SFAI Inter-League in Athlone. More than that, one of them, Calum Costello, scored the opening goal of the game. He was joined on the Mayo team by his United teammates Michael Ruane and Rian Jordan.
RoseMarie Brett from Foxford was the winner of the €124 jackpot in last week’s S&F United 50-50 draw. Tickets are available in local outlets and online at www.smartlotto.ie.
A Foxford delegation from the Admiral Brown Society were present at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin to see Mayo man Caelan Doris lift the Admiral Brown Cup as captain of the Ireland team that beat Argentina in the Autumn Nations Series on Friday, November 15. The cup is contested whenever the two countries meet at senior level and is named in honour of Foxford native William Brown who founded the Argentine Navy. Lacken native Doris wrote about the historic links in his captain’s notes in the match programme.
The children of Scoil an Chroí Naofa are busily preparing for their Christmas performances at St Michael’s Church in Foxford, the dates and times of which have been confirmed by the school.
Junior Infants, Senior Infants, First Class and Second Class will perform in the church on Thursday, December 5 at 12.30pm. The Christmas performance by Third, Fourth, Fifth and Sixth Classes is on Tuesday, December 17 at 7pm while the Third Class Nativity Play will be staged on Saturday, December 21, again at the church, at 7.30pm, which will also feature the school church choir.
The eagerly awaited 50th Anniversary commemorative book which chronicles the history of Moy Davitts GAA Club has gone to print and will be officially launched on the evening of Saturday, December 7 in The Moy Hotel, Foxford.
The opening times of this year’s Foxford Crafts Fair have been confirmed. The fair is to run over the course of three days at Foxford Leisure Centre from Friday to Sunday, December 6-8.
Friday’s opening times are 12pm to 7pm, on Saturday it will run from 10am to 6pm while on Sunday, the fair will run from 12pm to 6pm.
Adding to the excitement and atmosphere this year is that Midwest Radio will broadcast live from the Foxford Crafts Fair on Saturday morning, December 7.
There will be a huge selection of Irish-made handcrafted gifts available, including woodcraft, jewellery, fauxflowers, glassworks, knitting, pottery, seasonal foods and much, much more.
