Local notes: Students stretch their legs for charity
Congratulations to S&F United duo Michael Ruane and Jamie Loughney who represented the Mayo Football League in the FAI U15 Inter-League against Clare District. In a double honour, Jamie captained the Mayo team.
St Vincent de Paul was the big winner from the magnificent Turkey Trot Run that the students of St Joseph’s Secondary School organised in Foxford last week. The proceeds from the now annual ‘race around the block’ were all donated to the SVP charity.
Santa Claus was on hand to get the race underway and first past the finishing post was 2nd year student Ella Ginty in a time of 14.30. Following closely behind was seasoned podium placer Grace Dempsey. The first male finisher was Aidan Fitzpatrick.
Anna Holmes won the 1st Year girls category and was closely followed by Katelyn Moore and Jemma Jordan in second and third positions. Eanna Coleman was first of the 1st Year boys to cross line with Matthew McConnellogue and Dylan Cawley occupying the next two places. There were joint winners of the 2nd Year boys race as Brian Jordan and Darragh O’Brien finished side by side while the 3rd Year winner was Darragh Ruane.
The prize for the best dressed athlete went to Christian McGuane.
Singled out for their help and assistance on the day were 5th year students Sarah Gaughan, Grace O’Hora, Aoife Murphy Keane, Jack O’Boyle and Aisling Devaney Devers.
Local lovers of traditional music and song may want to keep an eye out for a very special television performance this Christmas Day as many members and friends of Foxford’s Admiral Brown CCÉ branch are to feature in the Geantraí Christmas Special on TG4. The show is from Mount Falcon Estate and will feature a host of well-known local musicians – among them Stephen Doherty and the Mayo Ensemble Youth Orchestra – alongside several highly acclaimed international artists.
The programme will be broadcast at 7pm.
Moy Davitts LGFA wishes to thank all the sponsors and participants – and quizmasters David and Irene – who helped make possible their excellent Christmas Table Quiz held in Cruiser’s Bar, Foxford. Such was the standard of quizzers it required not one, not two but three tiebreak rounds to determine an overall winner on what was a thoroughly enjoyable evening.
The club extends its gratitude to the following sponsors: O’Hara’s Bakery, Foxford Woolen Mill, Clive’s Butchers, Tracey’s Pharmacy Castlebar, Marbella Glow Tan, Brian Gallagher, The Maloney Family, Home Store + More, Kennedy’s EuroSpar, The Hall Family and Neil Cruise.
Don’t forget to support if you can this Christmas the Coolegrane Lights which are raising money for the Mayo Downs Syndrome Association. Once again the Hughes Family have produced a spectacular display of festive lights and music which are well worth visiting. All donations towards MDSA would be greatly appreciated.
The past week has seen a camera system installed that overlooks the N26/N58 junction in the middle of the town to monitor traffic. It comes after a threat made earlier this year that Foxford residents were prepared to stage a protest and block the pedestrian crossing in the town because of the dangers posed.
Cllr Neil Cruise had raised the issue at a meeting of Mayo County Council in July where he described as “unbelievable”, the speed at which vehicles are passing through Foxford. He cited the hazards posed by the speed and also the “lack of visibility” at the pedestrian crossing, with Director of Services Tom Gilligan at that time acknowledging there were issues and that the crossing needed to be raised for visibility, but that he was unable to give a timeline as to works.
FACT Social Club is an independent community-based service in Foxford supporting people living with Dementia or in rural isolation. It is open Monday to Friday and provides social interaction, activities and much more in a safe and supported environment. If you would like more information on the services it offers, contact factsocialclub1@gmail.com or telephone 094-92-56662.
Last week’s winner of the Moy Davitts GAA 50-50 jackpot was Collette Dunleavy who won a jackpot prize of €402.
If you are looking for a last-minute Christmas gift for someone, then the Moy Davitts 50th Anniversary Book could be just the stocking filler you are looking for.
Priced at the new lower price of just €20, this immensely detailed and enjoyable publication is available in the following locations: Clarke’s, Bohola; Gala, Foxford; Centra, Foxford; The Woollen Mill, Foxford; Gannon’s Post Office, Foxford; Reape’s, Foxford; Castle Book Shop, Castlebar; Easons, Castlebar; BookStand, Ballina; O’Hara’s Spar, Clontarf, Dublin.
Books can be posted anywhere in Ireland for only €6. For all other postal rates and information contact Annette on 087-6781500.
Registration to join Moy Davitts GAA for 2026 is now open. There are a range of membership options available, including registration and the annual club lotto, which would make for an ideal Christmas present. You can register at www.foireann.ie and if you experience any difficulties, contact Paula via WhatsApp on 087-3226777.
Registration runs from January 1 to December 31 annually, and all players must be registered before returning to training.
Members of the public are being asked to put forward nominations for the 2026 Mayo County Council Cathaoirleach awards, which recognise the valuable contribution made by people to the county. Mags Connell from the council’s Communications Department told members at a council SPC meeting on Friday last that the awards have gone from strength to strength ever since being launched in 2021. For 2026 there are 17 awards up for grabs in categories from publications to local heritage, biodiversity, the arts, tourism, the diaspora etc. Nominations close on January 23rd, 2026, and the awards ceremony takes place in March 2026. Full details at www.mayo.ie/cathaoirleachsawards2025.
Sympathy is extended to the family of Sr Margaret Maloney who passed away peacefully at Blackrocks Nursing Home, Foxford and whose funeral was held in All Saints Church, Killasser last Thursday, December 18.
A native of Tiernunney, Killasser, Sr Margeret was attached to the Convent of the Sisters of St Joseph of the Sacred Heart, Banogue, Co Limerick, and lived in Australia for 31 years.
Pre-deceased by her parents Margaret and John, sisters Betty and Una, brothers Michael, John and Patrick, she will be sadly missed by her family, her nephews, nieces and all of her extended family, Sisters of St Joseph of the Sacred Heart, neighbours and friends.
Following her funeral Mass, Sr Margaret was laid to rest in Killasser Cemetery.
May she rest in peace.
The fishing licence lottery system that is being proposed for the River Moy will “kill off angling” within its lengthy catchment and will create “war”, according Foxford councillor Neill Cruise who raised the matter at the December meeting of Mayo County Council. He told colleagues that “a dire situation [was] about to unfold in this county” due to a “very dangerous proposal” from Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) for the River Moy.
“They are going to introduce a tag system that will be operated on a lottery basis for people to come and fish here from next summer. Only the people lucky enough to get a tag can fish on a catch-and-release system, but all our visitors who travel from all over are not going to come to the Moy for the upcoming season under this system.
“This is going to wipe out angling tourism in our area. The River Moy reaches up into Sligo as well as being so important to Mayo and this change has come about through mismanagement and improper information being supplied to the powers-that-be.”
Cllr Cruise said spawning beds on the River Moy have been disappearing but the reason it is happening is because of “very little effort from IFI”, adding: “If we are going to let a statutory body in this country close down our angling industry on one of the most prolific salmon fishing rivers in this country, it will be a terrible case for Mayo. This is very serious. This will wipe out international angling tourism into Mayo. Every predator is protected, from the seal to the cormorant, but nobody is protecting the angler and those the angler supports.”
Fr John Keane and Deacon Don Devanney are to hold a Eucharistic Healing Retreat at the Fr Peyton Centre, Attymass on Sunday, February 8, 2026. Places are limited places so booking is essential. Contact Nicola at 087-9622800.
Foxford Meals on Wheels can provide meals from Monday to Saturday at a cost of €7 per meal. To avail of this service you can contact Geraldine at 0879040463 or 094-92-56614.
The remaining few tickets are available for an evening with Sean Keane and some of not just Foxford’s but Ireland’s finest musicians in The Moy Hotel on Saturday, December 27.
Seán Keane, from County Galway, was described as the greatest musical find of the 1990s. Traditional Irish, folk, and even country and blues songs all lend themselves to his unique style and unforgettable voice. He is performing in Foxford along with a five-piece band comprised of local musicians Stephen and Kevin Doherty, David and Patrick Doocey, and Jimmy Higgins.
Seán continues to receive significant radio play with songs like ‘Isle of Hope, Isle of Tears’, ‘Galway to Graceland’, ‘Home’, and ‘Home Away From Home’ all proving very popular with listeners.
The concert is serving as a fundraiser for the 2026 Foxford Traditional Weekend whose committee would like to thank the Moy Hotel for sponsorship towards this event.
To purchase tickets, visit www.foxfordtraditionalweekend.com.
