Local notes: Foxford youth theatre begins new term
Moy Davitts footballer Colm McHale has received a bursary from Connacht GAA towards his studies and sporting exploits at University of Limerick where he is a first year student. Colm, who was presented with his bursary by Connacht GAA President Vincent Neary at a ceremony in the Connacht GAA Centre of Excellence, on January 4 has represented his county with distinction at underage level and this season helped UL reach the Higher Education Freshers League final.
A small number of spaces remain available for the new term of the New Stage Youth Theatre which runs every Thursday evening at St Joseph’s Secondary School in Foxford. The term will run until May.
As well as the weekly classes, there will be theatre visits, master classes and performance opportunities too.
The NSYT represents a great opportunity for teenagers in the Foxford area and is ran in conjunction with the Mayo Arts Office, Mayo County Council and Youth Theatre Ireland.
The cost is €25 and for registration you can contact Mary Ellen at 087-7929138.
It runs between 6.30pm and 7.30pm for 12 to 14 year-olds and from 7.30pm to 8.30pm for 15 to 18 year-olds.
September has been earmarked as the completion date for the new premises of Knockmore/Foxford Boxing Club. The sod is due to be turned on the Swinford Road facility in February and the project is being handled by Clydesdale construction under the management of Seamus Ryder.
An allocation of Sports Capital Funding in support of the project has been bolstered by a significant fundraising effort by all associated with the club, all in the hope of bringing this dream to fruition.
The club, which boasts a strong membership from around the nearby region and a stalwart tradition of producing fine boxers, recently held a two-day bucket collection to help raise much needed funds to complete the premises. The general public were extremely generous and the events were a great success and this has allowed the much anticipated project to stay on track for completion later this year.
Meanwhile, KFC’s second tournament of the season will take place next Sunday, January 19 in the Foxford Sports and Leisure Centre. Prior to the main event, which is the Vincy James Memorial Cup, all KFC underage boxers will get the opportunity to show their skills in the boxing ring from 1pm.
The funeral took place in London recently of Evelyn Ward (née Deacy), a native of Cullen, Foxford. Evelyn passed away on December 1, 2024 at Ravenscourt Nursing Home after a long illness. Predeceased by her husband Mathew and her sister Kathleen, she will be sadly missed by her children, Maureen, Sheila, Kevin, Brendan, Martin and Colin, her 14 grandchildren, four great-grandchildren, her brothers Dennis and Michael, and sisters Maura and Teresa, her daughters in law, Shannon, Katie, Mary and Helen, son in law, Chris, nieces and nephews.
A wonderful mother and person, Evelyn’s funeral Mass took place on December 30 at St Mary’s Hornchurch, London, and burial afterwards was at Eastbrook Cemetery, Dagenham.
May she rest in peace.
The Admiral Brown branch of Comhaltás is to hold a fundraising table quiz at St Joseph’s Secondary School, Foxford next Friday evening, January 17. The quiz is being organised by youth officer Méabh Hyland and Peter Fox. There will be music performed by branch musicians before the quiz and during the intermission.
Entry is €40 per table (four people per table), with prizes for the winners and lots of spot prizes.
Registration is from 7.30pm with the quiz starting at 8pm.
Clinics are continuing to take place for people in the locality whose homes have been impacted by defective concrete blocks.
Caroline Wilson is the DCB facilitator and is available by appointment, in conjunction with Mayo North East Partnership, to assist homeowners with the DCB Grant scheme and application. For all enquiries or to make an appointment, contact Caroline at 087-4828261 or by email at carolinewilson@mayonortheast.com.
Meanwhile, homeowners affected by Defective Concrete Blocks are being afforded free mental health professional therapy appointments by MyMind while appointments for full-time third level students, the unemployed, retirees, and anyone making under €25,000 per year are also available for €30. The new location is the Mayo North East Office on Kevin St, Ballina. Registration and appointment at www.mymind.org or call 0818 500 800.
Congratulations to Moy Davitts footballer Cian McHale who is part of the Mayo senior football panel for the first time and who featured in the recent challenge match against Monaghan which was held at MacHale Park in aid of Motor Neurone Disease Association. He is joined by clubmate Conor Reid who is entering his second season in the panel and who featured in the same game.
Cian is also featuring in the Sigerson Cup for University of Limerick which got underway last week while Conor Reid is playing for ATU Galway and coincidentally, the Moy Davitts pair found themselves in opposition last Friday in the opening round of the competition. McHale was reported to have “certainly made an impact from the bench” as UL won 3-17 to 1-10.
His younger brother Colm is also a student at University of Limerick and this season has already featured on the team that reached the Freshers League final against UCD.
Congratulations are in store after a jackpot of €102 was won by Declan Prendergast, Bohola, in the latest Moy Davitts GAA 50-50 draw.
The rescheduled 50th Anniversary Dinner Dance of Moy Davitts GAA Club will take place later this month, on Saturday, January 25 at the Great National Hotel, Ballina. Original tickets remain valid but tickets also remain available to purchase from both Bernie Ryder, Foxford at 086-8532293and Annette Clarke, Bohola at 087-6781500.
Well done to Foxford’s own Amber Hardy who has been re-signed by Sligo Rovers ahead of the 2025 Women’s League of Ireland season. Amber, who received multiple international call-ups in 2024, established herself in Rovers’ first team in what was a strong first season with the club.
The Mayo Solicitors Bar Association has made a special presentation to Pat O’Connor, Cullonaughton, Foxford and of legal firm P. O’Connor & Son, Swinford, for his outstanding contribution to the profession.
Pat O’Connor’s long and distinguished service saw him presented with the Judge Dan Shields Memorial Award by Gary Mulchrone, President of the Mayo Solicitors Bar Association, at the association’s annual dinner.
Mr Mulchrone described Pat O’Connor as ‘outstanding’ in his many spheres of influence in a career which spanned over half a century.
A highly acclaimed arbitrator, negotiator and mediator, Pat’s attainments include the Presidency of the Law Society of Ireland. He is a former board member of the Irish Sports Council, the Press Council of Ireland and Sport Ireland.
In 2016 he was appointed by the Minister for Rural and Community Development as chairperson of the Charity Appeals Tribunal.
Late last year, he retired from the position of Coroner for the District of Mayo having spent a total of 46 years in the coronial service.
The opportunity to run for election to Seanad Éireann was recently declined by Foxford’s Neil Cruise. The Mayo Fine Gael Councillor Neil Cruise was understood to be the party’s nomination – if he so wished – to the agricultural panel, which Senator Paddy Burke is vacating after more than three decades in the position.
“Timing is a big factor in politics and I believe that this is just not the right time to pursue this opportunity,” explained Cllr Cruise.
“It was a very hard decision to make but I believe it is the right one.
“I wish to sincerely thank the body who have faith in me and offered me the nomination. In addition, thank you to all who rang, texted and WhatsApped to support. Beidh la éile!”
There’s just under two weeks to go until a group of young musicians and singers take to the stage on behalf of Moy Davitts GAA Club at the All-Ireland Scor na Óg Finals. Conor Fox, Niamh Doherty, Shona Fox, Laoise Doherty and Clodagh Timlin claimed victory in the ballad group category at the Connacht Finals held in December, impressing both the adjudicators and the audience with their harmonious performance to earn their place on the All-Ireland stage.
The All-Ireland Finals are set to take place on Saturday, January 25 at the Hillgrove Hotel in Monaghan.
Straide National School is looking to open a pre-school and school-age childcare service and is inviting submissions of interest or business proposals from qualified candidates to operate the service on the school premises. The prefab facility includes essential amenities to create a nurturing and educational environment for children.
Applicants should have a minimum QQI Level 6 Fetac Major Award in Early Years Education (Level 7 or 8 preferred).
Email principal@straidens.ie for a full list of criteria for the application.
