Local notes: Let there be lights this Christmas
Congratulations to Ida Hennigan from Foxford who represented Moy Davitts GAA and became the inaugural sean nós dancing winner at the Mayo Scór na nÓg County Final which was held in Moygownagh.
A GoFundMe campaign has been launched to help fund the preparation, installation and upkeep of Christmas lights in Foxford. The 2025 festive season is almost upon us and local volunteers are getting ready to give of themselves tirelessly and ensure the town is looking beautiful at Christmas. Enhancements are made each year and so much work happens long before and after the Christmas period.
The Foxford Christmas Lights committee is appealing to all businesses and individuals to offer some financial assistance and help make sure the community spirit shines bright this Christmas.
Visit www.gofundme.com and search for Foxford Christmas Lights or you can donate to any of the committee members.
The annual general meeting of Moy Davitts LGFA will be held on Wednesday, November 19 at 8pm in Foxford Leisure Centre. Then on Sunday next, November 23 at 5pm, the AGM of Moy Davitts GAA Club is to be held in Bohola Community Centre.
All members are welcome to attend the meetings and to have their say for the benefit of both clubs.
The Foxford Brass and Reed Band is inviting the community to their 10th Anniversary Christmas Concert at St Michael’s Church, Foxford on Sunday, November 30 at 6pm. It is always a wonderful occasion and will be a great way for families to start off the Christmas season. The band will be joined by the St Michael’s Choir and Admiral Brown CCÉ. Admission is free but donations will be gratefully accepted. A wonderful evening of festive entertainment is guaranteed.
There was great sadness around the town last week with news of the death of John Moore, Irishtown. John passed peacefully at his residence surrounded by his family and his funeral Mass was celebrated last Wednesday.
John will be dearly missed by his beloved wife Margaret, sons Paul, John, James and Liam, daughters Kathleen, Barbara, Ann, Sheila and Mairead, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, sister in-law Marie, daughters in-law, son in-law, nephews, nieces extended family, neighbours and many friends.
Following John’s funeral at St Michael’s Church in Foxford, burial was at Craggagh cemetery.
May he rest in peace.
The death, after a long illness bravely borne, of Elizabeth Dunne (née Gallagher) occurred peacefully at Mayo University Hospital, Castlebar last week. Late of Rathbane, Foxford and formerly of Carralavin, Bonniconlon, Elizabeth, or Betty as she was better known, was predeceased by her husband Oliver.
She will be dearly and lovingly missed by her daughter Elizabeth, and sons Frank, Andrew, Ollie, Patrick and Tommy, her grandchildren Dylan, Kristian, Ethan, Rachel, Olivia, Lara and Riley, son in-law, daughters in-law, her sisters Mary (Mai) Gilvarry, Geraldine Kavanagh, her brothers Frank, Pat, John and Fr. Peter, brothers in-law, sisters in-law, relatives, neighbours and many friends.
Betty lay in repose at Clarke’s Funeral Home, Foxford on Friday evening and her funeral Mass was celebrated on Saturday at The Church of Christ The King, Knockmore. Burial afterwards was in Ballinahaglish Cemetery.
May she rest in peace.
A new project for Admiral Brown CCÉ’s ‘Singing Club’ will begin this Thursday, November 20 and continue for the following two Thursdays also, November 27 and December 4. Both the ‘Little Larks’ and ‘Silver Sparrows’ will come together at Foxford Sports and Leisure Centre for a one-hour session from 5:30pm to 6:30pm each evening, where they will learn Christmas songs.
It is hoped that the singing club will perform at the Foxford Craft Fair on Saturday, December 6 alongside the music group Glór na Sí.
If you know someone aged 7 to 14 years who may be interested, encourage them to come along. There is no cost involved.
There were two excellent wins for soccer teams at St Joseph’s Secondary School, Foxford last week. On Tuesday, November 11 the senior boys ran out 4-0 winners in Mervue where they played Yeats College in the first round of the Connacht Cup. The goals were supplied by Robert Hannick, Thomas Walsh and Cian Fahy, who struck twice in what was a superb second-half performance by the entire team.
The win followed in from the U17 girls beating Colaiste Muire, Ballymote the day before thanks to goals from Emily Coleman, Erin Dootson, Addison McDonnell and Kara Battle.
Congratulations is extended to a number of young players from S&F United who have received county call ups.
Gearóid Clarke and Aaron Boukioud have been selected for the Mayo U14 Interleague squad while Kasia Berkowska and Milena Domagala have been selected on the Mayo U15 Girls Emerging Talent squad.
The club is very proud of this recognition for the players.
Sean and Daire Tighe from Straide were winners of €100, likewise Pauline and Eddie Maloney from Foxford, in the two most recent S&F United 50-50 draws.
The funeral took place in Ballina on Thursday last of Emmet O’Boyle, Riverside Estate, Foxford and late of Amana Estate, Ballina.
Emmet, who was predeceased by his parents Kevin and Charlotte and by his brother Raymond, passed suddenly at his residence.
He is sadly missed by his sons Ronan, Gerard and Kevin, and daughter Lorna, cherished grandson Leo, sisters Stephaine and Charlotte, brother Kevin, daughters-in-law, nephews, nieces, relatives and friends.
A private cremation followed Emmet’s requiem Mass which took place at St Muredach’s Cathedral, Ballina.
May he rest in peace.
Moy Davitts GAA are to stage a sports quiz, as both a fundraising initiative and social event, in The Village Inn, Bohola on Friday, November 28 from 9pm. The club is inviting tables of teams to get together and test your sports knowledge. Entry for a table of four is €50. There will be some great prizes on offer and a good night’s entertainment is guaranteed.
Congratulations of Anne Rafter who was the winner of €405 in the latest Moy Davitts GAA 50-50 draw.
An open invitation is extended to any junior musicians who wish to play, and all ages who wish to listen, to the Admiral Brown CCÉ branch’s monthly junior trad session which is to take place next Sunday, November 23 from 4pm to 6pm in Cruiser’s Bar, Foxford. A lovely evening of music, song and dance is guaranteed.
Down Syndrome Mayo has been announced as the designated charity that will receive the proceeds of this year’s Coolegrane Lights which will be switched on at 6pm on Saturday, December 6. Well-known singer John McNicholl will perform the official turning on of the lights after which he will entertain the crowd by singing carols and much more. Helping to set the atmosphere from 5.30pm also will be Pat’s Country Roadshow. Light refreshments will be served on the evening and your attendance would be greatly appreciated.
A fundraising 25 card game will take place at the Davitt Community Hall, Straide on Friday, December 5 in aid of Mayo Cancer Support and Straide Community Development Group. The events is being organised by Straide Women's Group and the support of all card players would be greatly appreciated.
The annual ‘Commemoration of the Faithful Departed’ for those in the parish who have died during the past year will take place in St Michael’s Church, Foxford this coming Friday, November 21 at 7pm.
Moy Davitts LGFA are asking that you put an important date in your diary as the club is inviting the community to partake in a fundraising Christmas Table Quiz, which will be held at Foxford Sports and Leisure Centre on Sunday, December 14 at 5pm.
There will be plenty of prizes up for grabs and also a raffle on the evening, while you are also encouraged to wear your best Christmas jumpers or outfits as there will be a prize for the best one! Teas and coffees will be provided on the evening. Entry is €20 per table.
