Local notes: Trad superstar on his way to festival
Patron of St Joseph’s Secondary School in Foxford, Bishop Kevin Doran, paid a visit to the school after concelebrating Mass with Fr Padraig Costello in St Michael’s Church to mark the start of the school year. Many of the students played their part in the mass, with their beautiful singing, music and reading certainly adding to the occasion. Bishop Kevin met with groups of the school’s student body to discuss their experiences of school, their locality and their faith in today’s world. Foxford National School also held its back-to-school Mass last Friday, September 27, in St Michael’s Church.
One of the most instantly recognisable figures in traditional Irish music is to grace the upcoming Foxford Traditional Weekend, with a lineup of musicians to rival any such festival anywhere in the country.
Steve Cooney may be Australian born but is undoubtedly the most influential guitarist the Irish trad scene has ever scene. A remarkable composer to boot, Cooney rose to prominence as one half of the legendary Begley and Cooney duo and is also widely revered for his collaborations with the likes of Sharon Shannon and trad supergroups Stocktons Wing and Altan – not to mention an impromptu gig with Dolly Parton in the late Páidí Ó Sé’s pub in Co Kerry!
Renowned for his innovative and rhythmic style of accompaniment on guitar, Steve Cooney will be performing in Foxford on the weekend of the festival which runs from October 16 to 20, and will also be one of the tutors giving workshops and master classes.
Cooney will perform along with accordion maestro Dermot Byrne and fiddler Bríd Harper, both of whom are from Donegal, and who are also among the workshop tutors. Byrne, who hails from Gweedore, was named TG4 Traditional Musician of the Year in 2013. He is a former member of the legendary Altan and has toured the world sharing stages with some of the most celebrated musicians in traditional Irish music. Bríd Harper, who is from Castlefinn, has won numerous All-Ireland and Oireachtas fiddle championships and with her roots deeply planted in the rich musical traditions of Donegal and Tyrone, she is widely regarded as one of Ireland’s greatest fiddle players.
Two of Ireland’s leading harpists, Laoise Kelly and Michael Rooney, flute player June McCormack, together with a host of well-known local stars of the Irish traditional music scene, will also combine to arguably make this the leading festival of its kind anywhere in the country.
Full details of workshops, masterclasses, concerts and other events are available at www.foxfordtraditionalweekend.com.
The branch AGM of Admiral Brown CCÉ will take place this Wednesday evening, October 2, at 8pm in Foxford National School. All senior members are encouraged to attend. New members are always welcome.
For anyone who you can’t attend the meeting but would like to offer at the upcoming Foxford Traditional Weekend, you can contact Edel at 086-3999774.
Well done to the first year students of St Joseph’s, Foxford, who played their very first Gaelic football match of their secondary school careers last week – and did so in style. The boys from Providence Road got the better of Ballyhaunis Community School at the Connacht GAA Centre of Excellence, Bekan, in what was a very entertaining game played in good weather conditions.
With the evenings rapidly drawing in and a chill now in the air, thoughts are already turning towards activities of the winter. The organisers of the ever popular Foxford Crafts Fair have confirmed that this year’s event will be held over three days at the Leisure Centre, from Friday, December 6 to Sunday, December 8.
Anyone who would like to express their interest in applying for a table should email foxfordcraftsfair@gmail.com with details of what your craft is and you will be sent an application in the few weeks.
The results of the recent golf classic organised by Moy Davitts GAA at Ballina Golf Club were as follows: 1, Michael Jennings, Bill Kiely, Martin McElligott, Eddie Bowes 94pts, K Club green fees and dinner for four in Ferrick’s of Rathowen; 2, Patricia Gaughan, Sinead Fox, Monty McLoughlin, Davey Murphy 93pts, green fees in Carne and one night B&B in Boradhaven Hotel; 3, Declan Munnelly, Sean Golden, Philip Irwin Jnr, Gerry Ronayne 92pts, green fees in Esker Hills; 4, Sean O’Neill, Tony Mulligan, Pat O’Neill, Seamus Holian 89pts, green fees in Enniscrone; 5, Martin Loftus, Chris Loftus, Declan O’Brien, Shane Foy 87pts, four Mayo GAA tops; 6, Rob Lane, Stewart Bruce, David O’Sullivan, Barry Keane 86pts, four cases of wine; 7, Darragh Mulligan, Eamon Mongan, Ben Sinnott, Jim Mulligan 86pts, green fees in Tubbercurry; 8, Margaret Reynolds, Brian Reynolds, Ivan Maloney, Kevin Maloney 86pts, golf lessons for four with Eddie Tracey, Ballina golf pro; 9, Noel Howley, Eugene Caulfield, Fr Peter Gallagher, Johnny Finan 85pts, green fees in Swinford; 10, Padraic Naughton, Michael Brady, Darren Flaherty, John Carden 83pts, four golf umbrellas; longest drive ladies, Clarice Evans, Elverys voucher and golf balls; longest drive men’s, Darren Greaney, Elverys voucher and golf balls; nearest the pin, Kieran O’Brien, 3.18m, voucher from Westport Hotel Group.
Conditions on the day were fabulous and the food tent delicious! Moy Davitts GAA wish to thank every last sponsor who contributed to the event, the golfers and wider community who also supported the Classic, the members of the organising committee, volunteers on the day, Ballina Golf Club itself and also The Village Inn in Bohola for hosting the prizegiving ceremony.
Paul Moran was on target for S&F United’s first team who were beaten 3-1 by visitors St John’s (Sligo) in the opening round of the FAI Junior Cup. It was a high octane game and one where the hosts gave an excellent second-half display but unfortunately it was to no avail. The team has received a bye in the opening round of the Connacht Shield and will next be in action late next month.
A goal from Kasia Berkowski was not enough to prevent S&F United from exiting the Connacht U14 Girls Shield, as they were beaten 4-1 at Green Road by Achill Rovers.
An excellent performance by the under-16 boys saw them overcome Newport Mulranny 6-1 in the league. Brady Guilfoyle scored a brace and there was a goal apiece by Brendan O’Boyle, Matthew Ruane, Dylan McHale and Donnacha Timlin.
S&F United’s U18 side saw their excellent run in the Eleanor Quigley Shield come to an end at the semi-final stage as they were beaten 6-3 by Snugboro United at Umbro Park, Milebush. The goal-scorers were Sean Reid, Pearce Lawless and Mark Flatley.
The dream of a brand new, purpose built home for Knockmore-Foxford Boxing Club has moved a big step closer with confirmation last week that €110,147 has been committed towards the project through the Sports Capital Funding.
It comes almost exactly 12 months after planning permission was granted for the club to develop a new sports hall and gym on the Swinford Road in Foxford, with Mayo County Council signing off on a 30-year lease of the grounds.
Congratulations to Conor Bowes, Foxford, who won a jackpot of €388 in the Moy Davitts 50/50 draw on Saturday, September 21. Tickets are available in the usual retail outlets and by playing on the Moy Davitts GAA club app.
The Moy Davitts 50th Anniversary dinner dance is taking place at the Great National Hotel in Ballina on Saturday, November 2. There will be a drinks reception with dinner at 7.30pm.
Music on the night is by the Brian McDermott Band who will be followed by a DJ until late.
Special accommodation rates are available from the hotel.
Jarlath Burns, President of the GAA, will attend the dinner dance as special guest. Burns took up his role in February this year and as a footballer, debuted with the Armagh senior team in 1987 and captained the Orchard County to an Ulster title in 1999. A fluent Irish speaker, his son Jarly Óg was a member of this year’s All-Ireland winning Armagh team.
Tickets for the dinner dance are available by contacting Annette at 087-6781500 but there is also going to be a special sale night at the clubhouse in Sraith Garbh on October 11 at 8pm. Don’t miss out.
The Foxford Bridge Club has resumed for the winter. It meets in the Social Services Centre every Wednesday night from 6 to 9pm and will continue until next May.
Everyone is very welcome regardless of whether a beginner or not.
If you want to join the club or if you want to learn to play Bridge, please contact Richard at 085-1095471 or email Foxfordbridgesec@gmail.com.
Foxford Parish Pastoral Council are inviting parents of children who were baptised in 2021 to bring their child to St Michael’s Church on Sunday, October 13 for the annual blessing of children – a short prayer service to which other family members will also be most welcome. Refreshments will be served afterwards in the Admiral Brown Hall.
