Local notes: Resistance to 'ludicrous' junction plan
Members of the Foxford Ramblers with their guide John Linihane who described the walking group as “one of the nicest groups I’ve ever led up a mountain” as a “credit to the county”. The Foxford Ramblers toured Kerry on May 30-31 and Linihane, a former world champion mountain runner, brought some of the group on a 15 kilometre hike of the Brandon area in conditions he described (contrary to the photograph) as “probably one of the worst day’s rain I’ve ever experienced in the Brandon area”.
Some strong views were expressed at a public meeting held in The Moy Hotel last Tuesday, in relation to proposed changes at the junction of the N26 and Main Street, including the pedestrian crossing.
An attendance of more than 100 people gathered to discuss the many aspects of Mayo County Council’s potential traffic calming measures, observations for which were being accepted by the council up until last Friday, June 5.
There is strong local opposition in particular to the idea that traffic travelling down Main Street would in future be prevented from turning right onto the Swinford Road and directed instead down Lower Main Street and Providence Road.
“For people to have let this through (as a proposal) is quite surreal,” Cllr Neil Cruise has stated. It was the opinion of many who attended the meeting that it would be “ludicrous” to add that amount of traffic to two local roads that struggle already to accommodate two-way traffic and which crucially facilitate Hope House, Foxford Woolen Mills, St Joseph’s Secondary School, residential properties and provide access to the grounds of Moy Davitts GAA Club and S&F United FC and to Foxford Leisure Centre also.
To not allow a right turn at O’Hara’s corner, would only “magnify the problem and move it to another part of town,” said Cllr Cruise, acknowledging that it is only one of the council’s proposals and that it would be objected to strongly.
There is immeasurable sadness throughout the locality at the untimely passing of baby Cían McHale.
The son of Noel and Emma McHale, and little brother to Fionn and Oisín, Cían passed unexpectedly at his residence in Ballylahan, Straide. He was just a month short of celebrating his third birthday.
A community united last week to offer its sincerest sympathies to the McHale family on their devastating loss. The family has strong ties with Moy Davitts GAA and S&F United and both clubs performed guards of honour last Wednesday evening after Cían had lain in repose at Straide Community Centre prior to his removal to the family residence in Ballylahan.
Mass of the Angels for Cían was celebrated on Thursday afternoon in St Peter and Paul’s Church, Straide, with the funeral proceeding afterwards to Straide New Cemetery.
Cían will be dearly and forever missed by his loving parents Noel and Emma (née Kells), brothers Fionn and Oisín, his grandparents Paddy and Marian McHale (Pollagh, Straide), Mick and Marie Kells (Drogheda and Spain), aunts Tara, Michelle and Carmel, uncles Barry, David, Adam and Robert, and their spouses and partners, cousins, neighbours and a wide circle of friends.
We offer our deepest condolences to them all and wish them strength at this most difficult of times.
May Cían rest in peace.
St Joseph’s Secondary School recently celebrated the graduation of the 2026 Leaving Certificate class in advance of their state examination that got underway on Wednesday last and which continue over the coming weeks.
A special mass was held in St Michael’s Church which was followed by a meal in Foxford Sports and Leisure Centre with students, their parents and guardians, and school staff all present.
In what was a truly memorable occasion, head girl Ella Coleman and head boy Dean Butler thanked many in their speeches, paying particular tribute to the staff of St Joseph’s, acknowledging all that they do for the student body every day.
The staff and management of St Joseph’s, Foxford have also extended best wishes to their 3rd Year students who are also underway with their Junior Certificate examinations.
The long awaited open night of Foxford Table Tennis Club at the new premises on the Swinford Road takes place today (Tuesday) at 7pm. The club already has more than 30 adults registered and a dozen under-18s.
The open night will see a challenge event between Martin and Eddie Ditchburn, both national champions and members of the Foxford club, and a pair of national champions from Ballina. It is open to the public and admission is free. Coaching for club members will follow afterwards.
Training for the table tennis club will be held every Tuesday and Thursday evenings and complete beginners are welcome to attend. A limited number of places are still available. Contact 086-8373646 to register or for further information.
There was a cracking jackpot prize of €1,390 won by John Gilmore Jr, in last week’s Moy Davitts GAA 50-50 draw. The bumper prize was offered to coincide with the club’s hugely successful golf classic which was held in Ballina Golf Club.
Tickets for the 50-50 draw can be purchased via the club app or in local outlets.
The Citylink bus company is urging potential customers in the Straide area to contact them regarding the absence of a bus service in the village. The Route 52 service by Bus Eireann between Ballina and Galway has been withdrawn which has left Straide with two new bus shelters but no bus service.
Citylink is to replace that service but at the moment is unlicensed to stop in Straide. The company has said the more people that contact them regarding the situation, the greater the chance it has of getting the service restored through Citylink. Their contact number is 091-564164.
A very special concert to mark the 130th anniversary of Foxford Brass and Reed Band will take place this Friday, June 12 in the Moy Hotel, Foxford at 7pm. Admission is free but raffle tickets will be available with some great prizes.
Foxford Ramblers Walking Group enjoyed a weekend away in Tralee.
On Saturday, May 30, 19 members of the group took on a challenging six-hour 14.7 kilometre hike around Brandon, in exceptionally wet conditions, that offered misty views of Loch Croite, Loch na Lice, Barr an Ghearáin, Cnoc Bréanainn and lots of waterfalls before eventually the skies cleared to offer an exceptional view of Brandon Bay. They were led by local hikers John Lenihan and sweeper Mary O’Sullivan. Another 14 members of Foxford Ramblers at the same time took on the 9.75 kilometre Brandon Point Loop which took almost five hours.
Sunday, May 31 saw some of the group venture to Great Blasket Island for a four hour trip that included a visit of the seal colony.
Moy Davitts ‘B’ last week celebrated a 7-16 to 1-17 victory over neighbours Swinford to be crowned East Mayo Canon Henry junior football champions for 2026. Moy Davitts had done most of the hard work in the first-half and led by 4-08 to 0-12 at half-time in the game which was played at the Connacht GAA Centre of Excellence.
There were some great results for S&F United’s ladies teams last week. The U13 girls were in action twice, beginning with a thrilling 6-5 win away to Kilmurry after extra-time in the Mayo U13 Girls Shield. The sides had been level at 4-4 at full-time. Kayleigh Mc Dermott scored four of the goals and Lucy Durkan hit the net twice. The team followed that up with an incredible 18-1 league win away to Snugboro United.
There was also a victory for S&F United in the Mayo Women’s Senior League, as goals by Avadh Gaughan, Hollie Canavan, Siobhan Wilson and Stephanie Loughney saw them to a 4-2 win against Castlebar Town.
Foxford and District Alzheimer Trust is to host its annual FACT Dementia Mile on the longest day of the year, June 21.
You are invited to join FACT for an enjoyable Sunday afternoon for refreshments with family, friends and neighbours featuring music from Padriag Moran all while raising awareness for dementia in Co Mayo in aid of the Foxford Alzheimer's and Community Trust social club and support services.
The walk will take place at 3.30pm.
For further information contact 085-8485278 or email factsocialclub1@gmail.com.
Foxford Salmon Anglers are to stage the Jim Adamson Perpetual Cup competition on Saturday, June 27 at the Rinnaney Fishery on the River Moy. All are welcome to take part.
The competition will run between 8am and 5pm, with weigh in and light refreshments shortly after at Davy's Hut (the first carpark).
Meanwhile, FSA reported five salmon caught (with two released) for the week-ending Sunday, May 31.
The powerful Irish drama 'The Kings of the Kilburn High Road' will be staged at St Brigid's Hall, Tubbercurry on Friday, June 19 at 8pm. Five friends who came to London as young men to make their fortune, now in their 40s, are gathered at an informal wake of one of their mates. Pure Mule Productions brings a strong cast in this drama of laughter and sadness in the form of Peadar Conway, Gerry Farrell, Michael McLoughlin, Niall Brewster and Brian Gallagher, whose great acting does justice to Jimmy Murphy's superb play.
A vacancy currently exists in St Michael’s Housing (St Vincent de Paul) in Foxford. This is a single occupancy house. Applicants must be on the Local Authority Housing List; be Aged 55 or over; be capable of independent living, and have a housing need. The closing date for receipt of completed applications is June 12, 2026. For an application form, call 089-4553542 and leave your name, address and Eircode.
