Local notes: Pedestrians, poets and prizes
Mary Hopkins with her grandchildren Jade, Leah, Lily, Katie and Ryan Casey, at the recent Memories Charity Ball which was hosted by the Foxford Alzheimer's and Community Trust (FACT) at the Great National Hotel, Ballina. Picture: John O'Connor
Cllr Neil Cruise has expressed his frustration at the length it is taking to complete an options and feasibility study to carry out safety works at a pedestrian crossing in Foxford. Cllr Cruise, who has raised the issue on numerous occasions, launched a petition on behalf of the Foxford Enhancement Group in October 2022 for Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) to carry out urgent safety works at the pedestrian crossing of the N26, in the centre of the town. The petition was signed by over 2,000 people.
Cllr Cruise requested an update on the project from senior engineer Conrad Harley at the most recent meeting of Claremorris-Swinford Municipal District where he was informed that the study is intended to be completed by the end of the year.
Cllr Cruise said that the people of Foxford were becoming “annoyed” and “frustrated” with the situation.
“There’s been a problem with this since 2015. There’s been a problem since it went in. There was a petition handed in to TII at our Roads SPC last year. Where will the buck stop with this? When will something be done?” Cllr Cruise asked. “The simple thing people are asking for is traffic lights and a pedestrian crossing. It’s acutely annoying at this stage.”
Foxford Men’s Shed is in line to receive a grant under a new government initiative that has allocated €1million to Sheds throughout the country.
Grants of up to €3,000 are being made available to each Shed and with Foxford one of 21 Sheds in Co Mayo, it is eligible to apply for the funding.
The grant is designed to assist Men’s Sheds with their running costs such as heating, electricity, utility and insurance bills.
The Men’s Sheds in Foxford and elsewhere help tackle isolation and provide a safe, comfortable and welcoming environment where men of all ages can come together to socialise, share skills and work on meaningful projects.
Hot on the heels of their successful Memories Charity Ball, Foxford Alzheimer's and Community Trust (FACT) is already looking forward to its next big fundraiser, which is to be held at Belleek Castle on Sunday, December 10.
Ladies are invited to share afternoon tea at the magical Ballina venue which is set to be reimagined as the 1930s with a traditional feel of Christmas. Four hours of music, champagne, mulled wine, festive treats, surprises and prizes are promised, with all moneys raised going to support FACT.
An array of guest speakers have been lined up, including Niamh Ryan (Ella&Jo), Michelle Filan (online coaching), Dr Lisa Cunningham (medical and health), Sarah Battle Home, (cookery and styling), Audrey Sheridan (cake artist), Mary Lowry (home, cookery, volunteering), Eilish Egan (Ballina Blossoms).
The event runs from 1pm to 5pm and music on the day will be provided by social media sensation Garron Noone and Grace Killeen, so why not relax and indulge in this amazing setting and empower each other while creating an awareness for those living with dementia in Co Mayo.
Tickets are €50 and available by contacting 094-92-56662 or factsocialclub1@gmail.com.
Guests are invited to incorporate the colour purple, lavender or lilac in their outfit.
Straide and Foxford United have confirmed that their annual St Stephen’s Day game will take place at Green Road at 1pm, where past players from every decade are being invited to come together to take on the present team. The occasion will also be used to present the Tommy McGowan Young Player of the Year award.
Congratulations to both Jimmy Maloney, Ummoon, and Vincent McDonnell, Moyview, who were winners of €100 in the S&F United 50/50 draws of November 13 and 20 respectively.
December 8 has been an important day in people’s calendars for generations and to mark the occasion, a new tradition is to take place in Straide this year.
Nothing replaces the joy of meeting in person over a cuppa so all are invited to the Straide Davitt Community Hall on Friday, December 8 for a Christmas gathering called ‘Straide Talking’.
December 8 was once a big shopping day in the villages, towns and cities but has been replaced with Black Friday and online shopping. It was also a traditional day for putting up the Christmas decorations but this has been replaced by putting up decorations in time for the Late Late Toy Show. But nothing replaces having a chat with neighbours and friends so ‘Straide Talking’ is intended for just that purpose, with one and all welcome to attend.
It will take place from 2.30pm to 5pm and is being organised by Straide Women's and Active Retirement Group.
Moy Davitts footballer Brian Reape has been selected to appear for the 2023 Club All-Star panel against the Mayo senior football team in next month’s Mayo GAA charity match in aid of the Mayo branch of the Irish Motor Neurone Disease Association.
Brian was picked on the back of some tremendous performances for the club in this season’s county intermediate football championship, and will feature alongside other players selected from the senior and junior championships also.
The match is to take place at Garrymore GAA Grounds on December 30.
A cool €400 was won by Adrian Gaughan, Foxford in last week’s Moy Davitts GAA 50/50 draw.
To coincide with the 60th anniversary of the assassination of US president John F. Kennedy, the Transition Year students of St Joseph’s Secondary School, Foxford were last week treated to a fascinating forensic science workshop where they explored ballistics and gunshot residue (GSR), photographic analysis, fingerprints, autopsy details and the main theories surrounding the assassination of President Kennedy.
The workshop, which was arranged as part of College Awareness week, also gave the students an insight into what a career in forensics, law or an Garda Síochána may look like.
Having reached last season’s FAI Schools National Cup ‘B’ final, the senior boys of St Joseph’s, Foxford are making good inroads into this year’s competition once again. They beat Portumna Community School 7-2 last week to secure top spot in their group. The goals were scored by Oran Timlin (2), Ollie Armstrong (2), Jamie Clarke, Cian Feeney and Dylan Coleman.
The death has taken place in the USA of Seamus Naughton, formerly of Main Street, Foxford and late of Westhampton Beach, New York.
The son of the late Paddy and Mary Naughton, Seamus is deeply regretted by his heartbroken wife Jessica, loving sisters Trisha, Julie and Louise, brothers Robbie and Kenny, in-laws, relations and by his many friends in Ireland and New York.
Seamus passed away on November 14 and a memorial service was held in Westhampton on November 18.
A memorial service is planned to take place for Seamus in Foxford at a later date.
May his beautiful soul rest in peace.
Foxford last week bade farewell to retired garda Mick Tuohy, Davitt Street and formerly of Clontuskert, Ballinasloe, Co. Galway. Mick passed peacefully in the care of the staff of Mayo University Hospital, Castlebar on Sunday, November 19.
Predeceased by his parents Michael and Mary Bridget, and by his brother Seán, Mick will be dearly and lovingly missed by his beloved wife Patricia (Ann), his sons Michael, John and Kevin, his daughters Fiona, Annette and Yvonne, by his fifteen grandchildren and one great-granddaughter, and by his brothers Oliver, Noel and Colm and his sister Maura, along with in-laws, relatives, neighbours and friends.
Mick Tuohy reposed at Clarke's Funeral Home last Wednesday while his funeral Mass was held at St Michael’s Church, Foxford the following day with burial afterwards at Craggagh Cemetery.
May he rest in peace.
The funeral was held last Wednesday, November 22 of Mary Jones (née Hopkins), Irishtown, Foxford who passed peacefully in the loving care of the staff of the Blackrock’s Nursing Home, Foxford.
Mary, who was predeceased by her husband Paddy and her brothers Paddy Joe, Johnny and Tommy, will be dearly and lovingly missed by her daughters Antoinette and Helena, and by her sons Ken and Liam, her sister Annie Carlan (Kiltimagh), adored grandchildren Amy, Grace, Anna, Lisa, Mark, Craig, Rory and Olivia, and great-grandchildren Isobella, Alex, Ava, Hanna, Jacob, Joshua and James, along with her nephews, nieces, in-laws, relatives, neighbours and friends.
Mary reposed at Clarke's Funeral Home last Tuesday and following her funeral Mass at St Michael’s Church, Foxford on Wednesday, burial afterwards was at Craggagh Cemetery.
Rest peacefully Mary.
The death occurred in Sligo last week of Foxford native Deirdre Staunton, daughter of Michael and Mary, Hawthorn Hill, and sister of Kieran.
Dearly loved wife of Chris Donaghy and adored mother of Meadhbh, Eoghan and Conor, Deirdre passed peacefully surrounded by her family and friends at her home in Drumkinsellagh, Calry.
Deirdre’s funeral Mass was on Friday at St Joseph's Church, Ballytivnan with burial afterwards at Rathcormac Cemetery.
She will be sadly missed by her loving family and a wide circle of relations, neighbours and friends.
May she rest in peace.
The funeral took place last Sunday, November 26, of Thomas Dunleavy, Tavanaghmore, Foxford. Thomas passed peacefully on Wednesday in the care of the staff at Mayo Hospice, Castlebar.
Predeceased by his parents Tony and Nelly, his sister Finbar, nieces Denise and Orla and his nephew David, Thomas will be dearly and lovingly missed by his partner Noreen Joyce, sisters Ann Brogan, Teresa Kane and his brother John Joe, and a wide circle of extended family, relatives, in laws and friends.
Thomas reposed at his residence on Friday and Saturday ahead of his funeral Mass at the Church of Christ the King, Knockmore on Sunday. Burial afterwards was at Ballinahaglish Cemetery.
May he rest in peace.
The countdown to Christmas will truly get underway next weekend when the annual Foxford Craft Fair takes place at the Sports and Leisure Centre on Saturday and Sunday, December 2/3. Don’t forget that Santa Claus will be calling to visit the boys and girls between 12pm and 4pm both days. Entry is €10 per child with family rates available also.
The annual general meeting of Moy Davitts LGFA will be held at the Foxford Sports and Leisure Centre this Friday, December 1 at 7pm. All are welcome to attend.
A wonderfully festive evening is guaranteed for anyone who attends St Michael’s Church on Sunday, December 10 as the Foxford Brass and Reed Band performs its annual Christmas concert. Joining the band this year will be traditional musicians from CCÉ Admiral Brown with whom they collaborated so brilliantly at this year’s Foxford Traditional Weekend.
Come along to hear all the Christmas favourites. Admission is free on the night but all donations will be gratefully accepted. The concert gets underway at 6pm.
There’ll be noise and colour aplenty in Foxford on the evening of Sunday, December 10 as Moy Davitts LGFA stages its annual Christmas Vehicle Run which, the organisers promise, will be bigger and better than ever before. Tractors, trucks, cars and bikes are all welcome to take part with the only catch being that all entrants must decorate their vehicle and make it shine as brightly as possible.
Registration (€20) is at Foxford Sports and Leisure Centre from 5.30pm with the vehicle run getting underway at 7pm. A kiddies tractor run will take place in between at 6pm. There will be raffle prizes on the night.
