Local notes: Upgrade works underway at local club
Foxford and District Alzheimer's Trust was delighted to receive a donation of €8,736.76 as a share of the proceeds of ‘Remembrance by Candlelight’ which took place in St Michael’s Church and reflected the strong community spirit and generosity of people in Foxford and surrounding areas. Event organisers Irene Burke and Sarah Ruane are seen making the presentation to FACT’s Declan Howley.
The construction of a new blockwork boundary wall with pillars, public footpaths with lighting, landscape islands and new access gates along the extent of the existing front boundary of the grounds, is being undertaken at Moy Davitts GAA Club. This project is proceeding with funding from the Community Response Fund. The club has confirmed that Mark McDonnell of RMD Property Solutions is to construct the wall presently, Kevin Staunton will make and install the railings and John Ruane will complete the electrics. The project is expected to be completed by late summer. Health and Safety instructions will be communicated in due course to coaches, players and parents.
A very special concert to mark the 130th anniversary of Foxford Brass and Reed Band will take place on Friday, June 12 in the Moy Hotel, Foxford at 7pm. Admission is free but raffle tickets will be available with some great prizes.
St Joseph’s Secondary School, Foxford has been awarded a Gaelbhratach (Irish flag) at a ceremony in Mary Immaculate College, Limerick this month. The school was one of eight from Mayo recognised for their commitment to the Irish language with the prestigious prize from Gael Linn.
Gaelbhratach is a national programme designed to encourage students at primary and post-primary level to use Irish beyond the classroom in a natural and enjoyable way. The initiative continues to grow year on year, with 2026 marking yet another milestone in its continued expansion at post-primary level. The flag recognises the commitment of students and schools to promoting Irish as a living language within their schools and communities.
Sympathy is extended to the family of Margaret (Maggie) Ryan (née Lynch) whose death occurred on Saturday, May 16. Margaret, from Aughaward and a native of Gortnadreha in Knockmore, passed in the gentle care of the Mayo Hospice.
Predeceased by her husband Sean and her parents Patrick and Bridget, Margaret will be dearly and lovingly remembered by her family, sons Kim and John Paul, daughters Edel, Ann and Veronica, her eight grandchildren, her sister Mary (Murphy) and her husband John, sister in-law Kathleen, sons in-law, Sven, Richard, Anthony and John’s partner Marijanna, nieces, nephews, relatives, neighbours and a wide circle of dear friends.
Margaret lay in repose at Clarke’s Funeral Home last Monday evening and her funeral Mass was celebrated at St Michael’s Church, Foxford on Tuesday with burial afterwards in Toomore Cemetery.
May she rest in peace.
The north wind persisted right up to the end of the week ending Sunday, May 17 meaning that the cold conditions kept a lot of anglers away from the Moy’s Foxford waters. Foxford Salmon Anglers reported just two salmon as caught for the week, one of which was an impressive 14lbs.
Guiry’s Bar will host the monthly session of the Foxford Traditional Singing and Poetry Group who will meet at 8.30pm this coming Thursday, May 28. All are welcome.
Congratulations to Maureen Glynn who is the most recent winner of the Moy Davitts GAA 50-50 draw and the recipient of a €540 jackpot prize.
The funeral Mass took place last Friday, May 22 of Martin Quinn, Moyview, and late of Curradrish, Foxford. Martin, who was predeceased by his parents Peter and Nora, and his brothers John (Birmingham) and Peter (Limerick), passed peacefully surrounded by his family at Mayo University Hospital.
He will be dearly and forever missed by his brothers and sisters Eugene (Noreen, Curradrish), Tony (Bridie, Attymass), Gerry (Geraldine, Foxford), Mary Nallon (Knockmore), Patricia (Curradrish), Margaret (Jimmy Foody, Bonniconlon), Nora (Jimmy Ganley, Ballina) Ann (Dick Melrose, Ballina), sister in-law Carmel (Limerick), his nephews, nieces, extended family, neighbours and many friends.
Martin lay in repose at Clarke’s Funeral Home on Thursday last and his funeral Mass was celebrated the following morning at The Church of The Immaculate Conception and St Joseph, Attymass. Burial afterwards was in Bonnifinglas Cemetery.
May Martin rest in peace.
A trio of athletes from St Joseph’s Secondary School competed at the Connacht Schools Track and Field Finals in Athlone last Wednesday. On what was his debut appearance at the championships, Ruairí Reynolds produced a courageous front-running performance to claim silver in the Minor Boys 1500m. Indeed Ruairí had led for much of the race before being narrowly overtaken in the closing stages in what was a superb run.
Rory Gruddy, who remains underage for intermediate next year, finished fourth in the 3000m after a determined effort by the reigning All-Ireland Indoor 1500m champion at U16 level. And Ella Ginty competed strongly in a high-quality Junior Girls 1500m field that featured two recent Irish Schools cross country international representatives. She finished powerfully over the final stretch to secure an impressive fifth place.
Congratulations to the U17 girls soccer team from St Joseph’s who won the FAI Schools Connacht Shield final against Jesus and Mary SS, Enniscrone thanks to goals scored by Emily Coleman and Kasia Berkowska.
The funeral took place last Tuesday, May 19 of Bridie McDonnell, Mill Park, who passed unexpectedly at Mayo University.
Late of Belass, Bridie was predeceased by her parents Patrick and Eileen, her brother Thomas her sister Sarah, and her brothers in-law Martin Grady and Brendan Quinn.
Bridie will be dearly and forever missed by her sister Mary, her nieces and nephews, the Grady family, the Quinn family, her adored grandnieces, grandnephews, relatives, neighbours and a wide circle of dear friends.
Bridie lay in repose at Clarke’s Funeral Home and her funeral Mass was celebrated at St Michael’s Church, Foxford with burial afterwards in Craggagh Cemetery.
May she rest in peace.
The club’s two U17 boys teams were both in action last Monday night, with the Premier Division outfit travelling to play Killala FC where they beaten 5-4 in an absolute thriller. They took an early lead when Calum Costello converted from the penalty spot and while falling 2-1 behind, they equalised in the 45th minute through Brady Guilfoyle. There was still time, however, for Killala to regain the lead before half-time but S&F hit back with second-half goals by Brendan O’Boyle and Sean Walsh and led until goals in the 87th and 90th minutes by the hosts secured them all three points.
In Division 4, S&F United’s U17 ‘B’ team were held to a 3-3 draw at home to Ballina Town, having led 3-1 thanks to a brace by Jonah Gallagher and a goal from Daragh O’Brien. They also played Kiltimagh-Knock United where they lost 3-1. Leo Lavarde got their only goal.
S&F’s U13 boys got back to winning ways with a 3-1 win at Ballyglass, coming from behind thanks to goals by Conor Ruddy, two, and Oisin McHale.
The annual Moy Davitts GAA Golf Classic is taking place next Saturday, May 30 at Ballina Golf Club. If you are interested in taking part, please book your team directly with Ballina Golf Club on 096-21050. Entry fee €160 per team of four. Great prizes are on offer. The club wishes to extend thanks to everyone who has sponsored tees and given prizes for what is an important fundraising event for the club.
Joe Doherty has been appointed as the new Children's Officer of Moy Davitts GAA Club and can be contacted on 089-4643521.
Time is running out should you wish to have your say on proposed safety improvements at the pedestrian crossing in Foxford.
Mayo County Council intends to implement traffic calming measures at the junction of the N58 (Main Street), N26 (Chapel Road) and L5361 (Lower Main Street), a key element of which would be the removal of the existing right turn at O’Hara’s corner onto Chapel Road.
The proposed measures also include the upgrade and refurbishment of the existing pedestrian crossing on the N26, and footpath and kerbline alterations for junction tightening to all vehicular movements along with additional signage and road markings.
The proposed scheme may be inspected at https://consult.mayo.ie while hard copies are available from Mayo County Council offices in Castlebar. Submissions must be made by June 5, 2026.
One final opportunity to offload unwanted scrap metal will present itself on Saturday next, May 30 when Knockmore/Foxford Boxing Club will accept scrap metal at a drop-off beside Applegreen Filling Station on the Ballina road.
The proceeds are to be put towards the completion of the club’s new gym on the Swinford road.
Unwanted bikes, galvanise, gates/sheets, barrows, buckets, radiators, copper, aluminium, lead, cast iron, oil ranges etc. will all be accepted. Items and materials that will not be accepted include glass, timber, tyres, rubber, washing machines, fridges and cookers.
Contact 086-8373646 for further info.
