Local notes: Parade plaudits and a proclamation of friendship
The young cast members of Mrs Brown's Boys who helped win the 'Best Float' award for RMD Property Solutions at the St Patrick's Day Parade in Foxford. The cup was sponsored by Gerry Moran Cleaning Services.
The return of the St Patrick’s Day parade was an unqualified success, with the hardworking committee and volunteers deserving every bit of praise for what was a tremendously unifying community event on Saturday, March 16. Huge crowds and a huge number of participants combined to bring great life, noise and colour to the streets of Foxford on what surely will again become an annual event.
A special congratulations to RMD Property Solutions Ltd. as winners of the ‘Best Float’ for their young actors’ reenactment of Mrs Brown’s Boys. The prize was kindly sponsored by Gerry Moran Cleaning Services.
The entry considered as ‘Best Entertainment’ was that of Dockery School of Motoring for its comical driving lesson along Main Street while the trophy for ‘Best Walking Group’ went to Reel Fit Fun, for their energetic dancing.
Guiry’s Bar received a prize from O’Hara’s Bakery as winners of the ‘Best Window Display’ while Cillian McDermott was the recipient of a €100 diesel voucher for the ‘Best Presented Tractor’.
The organisers would especially like to thank O’Hara’s of Foxford for their distribution of free loaves to parade attendees.
Not one, not two but three local businesses have been shortlisted in separate categories at this year’s Connacht Regional finals of the 2024 Irish Restaurant Awards. The Foxford Café at the recent refurbished Foxford Woollen Mills is in the running for top prize in the ‘Best Sustainable Practices’ category for its “outstanding commitment to sustainability”. The Moy Hotel is also shortlisted for an award as ‘Best Newcomer’ for what has been described as its “remarkable entrance” onto the restaurant scene in the province. Meanwhile, Foxford’s very own The Pizza Pod, which also operates out of The Quay in Ballina, is contesting the ‘Best Food Truck’ category, having been called a “fabulous, must try experience”.
Well done – and best of luck at the finals – to all concerned.
The Admiral Brown Society Foxford and Cllr Michael Loftus, the Cathaoirleach of Mayo County Council, have agreed a Proclamation of Friendship between Foxford and the Instituto Nacional Browniano Argentina.
Minister of State Dara Calleary TD recently visited Argentina for St Patrick’s Day and laid a wreath at the grave of Admiral Brown in Buenos Aires’ La Recoleta Cemetery. He also presented the Friendship Agreement to RE Mr Daniel Martin on behalf of Cathaoirleach Michael Loftus and the Admiral Brown Society Foxford.
The society is looking forward to 2027 when the 250th anniversary of Admiral Brown’s birth will be celebrated in Ireland and Argentina and has thanked Des Hurley of Custom Coins for commissioning a special pin for the occasion.
Mayo County Council and the Argentine Embassy have been working on the twinning that exists between Municipality Almirante Brown and Mayo County Council, extending an invitation to the ARA Libertad, the Argentine naval training ship, to visit Ireland this summer.
Foxford together with Mayo County Council will host an Argentina Day in Foxford on June 22 when it is hoped to turn the town blue and white and mark the anniversary of the death of Admiral Brown. A delegation from the Argentine Embassy will attend, including Argentine Ambassador HE Ana Chacaza. Approximately 3,000 Argentines currently live in Ireland and many are also expected to visit the town on the day and celebrate with us. The schools in the community are expected to be also involved also in what promises to be a great occasion.
The Admiral Brown Society recently launched its new website admiralbrown.com. The website will enhance the story of Brown and provide a valuable resource to add to the culture and heritage of Foxford and bringing it to a worldwide audience. The society has thanked Jason Howley of Philomedia for his vision, professionalism and help and looks forward to further populating the site in the months ahead.
As the days get longer a stroll around Foxford on the Admiral Brown Heritage Trail is a popular activity for locals and tourists alike, and the Promenade is a favourite riverside destination for walkers and anglers alike. Educationally, the society has also been promoting the story of Brown with this fantastic resource which is available in Spanish and English to support children’s learning about the famous Irish men and women in Latin America.
It is also planned to reestablish the Admiral Brown Museum in Foxford so that visitors can experience the rich cultural heritage that exists between the two continents, and to strengthen the cultural and historical links between Foxford and Argentina and promote the Admiral Brown story worldwide.
Minister Calleary and Mayo County Council have been thanked by the Admiral Brown Society for supporting its work to date and looks forward to continuing working closely with them on these and other projects.
The Foxford Traditional Singing and Poetry Group will meet in Guiry’s Bar this Thursday, March 28 at 8.30pm. All are welcome.
The minor footballers of Moy Davitts continue their Mayo GAA Division 3 campaign on Tuesday, March 26 with a home game against Aghamore. Throw in is at 5.30pm and the referee is Paul Lydon from Kiltimagh.
Martin Canning from Ballyvary Post Office was the winner of last week’s Moy Davitts GAA 50/50 jackpot, scooping a prize of €412. The club wishes to thank all its sellers and supporters.
The funeral took place on Monday, March 25 of Laurence (Larry) Butler from Lisaniska, Foxford, and who had been residing at his sister and brother-in-law Bernie and Seamus Kelly’s home in Kilknock, Breaffy, Castlebar. Laurence, who was predeceased by his parents Bernadette and Patrick and his brothers Eamon and Robert, passed peacefully surrounded by his family the home of Bernie and Seamus, last Friday.
He will be forever loved and sadly missed by his sisters Bernie, Mary, Elizabeth, Alice, Rose, Katie, his brothers Pat and John, his many nieces and nephews, sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, extended family, neighbours and friends.
Laurence lay in repose at Clarke's Funeral Home, Foxford on Sunday while his funeral Mass was celebrated at The Church of Christ The King, Knockmore followed by burial at Cloghans Cemetery.
May he rest in peace.
Congratulations – and good luck – to locals Fiachra Cruise and Oliver Armstrong who are both members of the Mayo U20 football squad which got its Connacht championship campaign underway with a draw against Roscommon at Dr Hyde Park. Fiachra, of Moy Davitts GAA, and Oliver of Knockmore GAA, are past pupils of St Joseph’s Secondary School.
The Mayo team continues its campaign this week with a home game against Galway at MacHale Park, Castlebar.
Knockmore/Foxford Boxing Club hosted an action-packed St Patrick’s weekend of boxing, with seven of the nine boxers that they had involved in the annual Vincy James Tournament having their hands raised in victory. Well done to Jonah Gallagher, Kaiden Hardy, Martin Lawerance, Brian Rouse, Sam Reddington, Cian Hannigan and Pearse Lawless on their wins. A special congratulations to Sam Reddington who was presented with the 2024 Vincy James Cup as overall best boxer.
The 1st and 2nd Year girls basketball teams from St Joseph’s Secondary School both took on Sacred Heart Westport last week, with both games going right down to the wire before ending in victories for the Foxford school. The results leave the St Joseph’s 1st Years top of their division and the 2nd Years in second place, with both teams now looking forward to the Group finals which are due to played after the Easter Holidays.
Stations of the Cross to Bráid cross will take place at 6.30pm on Good Friday, March 29.
A final reminder to anyone who would like to assist the Foxford Enhancement Group in a major clean-up of the town next Monday, Easter Monday, April 1.
As many volunteers as possible are being sought in the event that is all part of the An Taisce National Clean-up.
Bags, gloves, pickers and hi vis vests will be provided, with volunteers asked to assemble in the pharmacy car park at 11am.
You can text 087-9422666 in advance to notify of your availability.
Foxt-rot, a 5k and 10k run, will go ahead in Foxford on Sunday, April 28. Pencilled in as a replacement to the ‘Run for Boylo’, the 10k event will offer cash prizes to the winners while both that and the 5k will be held over a flat, chip-timed course.
It is planned to get the racing underway at 12.30pm.
Keep an eye for entry details.
