Foxford community keeps Candles to the Sea tradition alive

The Candles to the Sea tradition will continue in Foxford tomorrow evening, Friday, August 21, as the community will once again come together to remember their loved ones while candles drift serenely down the River Moy.

The deeply moving annual ceremony celebrates the memories of those who have passed away, and brings people together for a moment of reflection.

Notelet boxes have been placed around Foxford in the run-up to the ceremony, giving people an opportunity to write down a memory of someone they want to remember as the candles make their journey down the Moy.

While Riverfest will not be taking place in its usual format this year due to unforeseen circumstances, the Candles to the Sea tradition will continue, ensuring an important part of the annual Foxford gathering remains.

The evening will begin with music from the Foxford Brass and Reed Band at 8:30pm in the car park beside Tiernan’s Fish Tackle Shop.

Richard Walter, treasurer of Riverfest, said the band has become an important part of the annual celebrations.

“They perform every year and get the Riverfest off to a good start, a good Foxford start,” he said.

At around 9.15pm, a few words will be said to thank those attending, before Father Padraig Costello and Reverend Canon Andrea Wills bless the ceremony and offer a prayer in memory of loved ones who have passed away.

Singer and songwriter Julianne Hennelly will provide music as the candles are released onto the River Moy, creating a fitting soundtrack to the moment of remembrance. 

Richard said the candles will be released at around 9.45pm, as daylight begins to fade and darkness settles over the river.

“Then as the candles flow and the light fades, Julianne will be performing some beautiful music to suit the occasion and the memory of loved ones," he said.

Once the candles begin their journey along the Moy, people will gather on the bridge in Foxford to watch them pass by. Marshals, local Gardaí and river rescue will all be present throughout the evening.

The Candles to the Sea tradition has been part of Foxford’s celebrations for the past 12 years, continuing each year even when circumstances made it difficult for the community to gather.

“We also ran during Covid,” Richard said. “It’s the Anglers who make and release the candles, because they know the river, and that year they made a few candles and filmed them being released to put it up on social media.” 

“No one was there, it was all in lockdown, but we managed to run a little event to keep the tradition going and the memory going.” 

While people could not gather along the river that year, seeing the candles on video offered a sense of continuity and gave people an opportunity to pause, reflect and celebrate the lives of their loved ones.

Although Riverfest itself will not go ahead this year, Friday night will still see live music in Foxford, with the Mississippi Sheiks, a Rory Gallagher tribute band, taking to the stage in Cruisers Bar from 10.30pm and playing into the early hours.

“Come down, enjoy the amazing atmosphere of what is a celebration of the lives of people who have passed, with the beauty of music playing and the sight of these candles drifting quietly down the Moy,” Richard added.