Foxford all set for weekend of Trad

Festival fever

Foxford is counting down the hours at this stage to the extravaganza of music, song and dance that will descend upon the town this coming weekend.

The Foxford Traditional Weekend – one of the fastest growing traditional music festivals anywhere in the country – takes place from this Thursday, October 19 to Sunday, October 22, gathering together some of the very best traditional artists from across Mayo, Connacht and beyond.

No fewer than 25 separate events are planned for the four-day festival which, since its inauguration in 2015, has garnered a reputation for attracting some of the country’s very best musicians, singers and dancers to Foxford every October.

The Moy Hotel will stage two sensational concerts on Friday and Saturday night. Six-piece supergroup FullSet, who the Irish Music Association crowned as ‘Top Traditional Group’, are among four acts to appear this Friday night. Joining them on stage are Piper’s Cross who in August became the first céilí band from Mayo ever to be crowned All-Ireland senior champions. The night will be capped by special performances from accordion maestro PJ Hernon and the Mayo Trad Ensemble.

An equally exiting night of music is planned for the Féile Concert on Saturday. We Banjo 3 fiddler Fergal Scahill, Ryan Molloy and Foxford’s own Patrick Doocey – who this year performed with The Chieftains for Joe Biden upon the US President’s visit to Ballina – are sure to set the room rocking. The O’Donnell Family from nearby Aclare, Colm, Seamus, Siobhán and Eoin, have their own inimitable style that always delights, and adding to the quality of the night will be performances by Holly Geraghty, Sean Lynch, the Moffatt School of Dance and the Mayo Music Generation Harp Ensemble.

Earlier that evening, between 6.30pm and 7.30pm in the intimate surrounds of the Church of Ireland, there is also a concert featuring the outstanding fiddler Méabh Smyth, TG4’s current Young Musician of the Year, who is joined by sean nós dancer Edwina Guckian and the aforementioned Patrick Doocey on guitar.

There is also, of course, a whole list of events to attend that are completely free of charge, with the Foxford Traditional Weekend commencing in style this Thursday with Teen Trad’ (Cruiser’s, 6pm) and the ever-popular Rambling House (Moy Hotel, 8pm).

A collaboration between Foxford’s own trad musicians and the Foxford Brass and Reed Band is another event not to be missed. That takes place at 1pm on Sunday at Foxford Woollen Mills.

For the full programme of events and bookings, visit www.foxfordtraditionalweekend.com.

Annual Harvest Thanksgiving

The Church of Ireland’s annual ‘Harvest Thanksgiving’ Service in Foxford will take place this coming Sunday, October 22 at 4pm. The preacher is Rev. Suzanne Cousins, rector of Westport.

Everyone is most welcome to attend this special service where we give thanks for God’s bountiful gifts and mercies.

Save the date

Moy Davitts LGFA’s hugely popular annual Christmas Vehicle Run has been confirmed as taking place on Saturday, December 9 this year – and there is every plan to make sure that this year’s event will be the biggest and best one yet.

Tractors, trucks, cars and bikes are all welcome, and the only catch is to decorate your vehicle and make it shine bright on the night!

Noble causes

The students of St Joseph’s secondary school in Foxford did more than their bit for two very worthwhile charities and causes last week.

Firstly, a very successful ‘Pink Day’, where pupils and staff alike all dressed up in the colour, was organised by the school’s Student Council in aid of Breast Cancer Ireland. Senior winner was Mia Traynor and the junior winner was Jack Gallagher, with special mentions also for Ms Healy Ruane, winner of the teachers competition, and Ms Corcoran and Mrs Foy who were runners-up! Then, on Friday night last, October 13, Transition Year students and staff slept out for the sole purpose of raising awareness and crucial funds to help make a difference in the fight against homelessness. The school joined forces with Focus Ireland in an attempt to bring about positive change and you can support the students and teachers in their important mission by donating at their our GoFundMe page. Search for St Joseph’s Secondary School.

Wedding bells

The wedding took place in Swinford’s parish church, Our Lady, Help of Christians, on Saturday, October 7, of Erin Scott, Foxford and Swinford, and Kelvin Frain. The couple are wished every happiness for the future.

Condolences

The community of Foxford rallied around the Hardy and Walsh families last week following the untimely passing of Katie Walsh, from Kilkenny Cross, Castlebar. 19-year-old Katie is the daughter of Enda and Anne-Marie (née Hardy), formerly of Upper Main Street, Foxford. She died peacefully on Sunday, October 8, surrounded by her loving family, in the exceptional care of the staff at the Mayo Hospice, Castlebar.

Described as a ‘precious’ and ‘beautiful’ girl, someone who left behind her ‘a legacy of kindness and fun’ and who would be remembered ‘for her smile and her sense of fun’, among those to pay tribute were Castlebar Mitchels LGFA with whom Katie had played Gaelic football up until illness prevented her from doing so.

“A beautiful girl inside and out,” the club said simply.

Katie will be sadly missed by her heartbroken parents and sisters Sarah and Emily, her cousins, aunts, uncles, relatives and her wide circle of friends.

Her funeral Mass was held in St Aloysius’ Church, Breaffy, last Wednesday with burial afterwards in Breaffy Cemetery.

May Katie’s kind and gentle soul rest in eternal peace.

Meanwhile, sympathy is also extended to PJ Henry, Irishtown, Foxford on the sudden death of his brother Christy on their native Innisbiggle Island on Friday, October 6.

Christy was lauded as a “great ambassador” for the island and known for the help he gave to anyone who came to the island.

Former parish priest of Foxford, Fr Chris Ginnelly is PP of Ballycroy and Innisbiggle, and told the Irish Times last week that: “The entire island, as well as communities along this part of the Mayo coastline, are in total shock. His death is another nail in the coffin of the island’s story.”

Christy was predeceased by his parents Paddy and Baby and brother James.

Condolences to his brother PJ in Foxford, sister Mary (London), sisters-in-law Patricia and Fran and extended family.

May his gentle soul rest in peace.

Clare winners

The senior girls soccer team at St Joseph’s Secondary School, Foxford made the most of home advantage last week when they secured a 4-2 victory over the visiting St Clare’s team from Manorhamilton, Co Leitrim. The St Joe’s goals were scored by Emma Walsh and Lauren Neary.

Double delight

Moy Davitts sent two football teams to compete in the annual Jackie McLoughlin U10 Blitz staged at the home of Knockmore GAA Club and it was a successful day at the office for both, as the Red and White claimed the Canon Johnny and Canon Flynn cups.

S&F United officers earn top FAI award

There were great celebrations and huge satisfaction among the members of S&F United last week when it was announced that the club is to be awarded the FAI Club Mark.

The FAI Club Mark is an award for grassroots clubs based on best practice in their management and administration. The programme aims to support and encourage clubs to improve standards off the field with the result of having stronger clubs and a stronger game.

Myra Deacy, S&F United’s Club Mark officer, took the opportunity to thank the committee and coaches for all their help, support and dedication to helping the club achieve this award.

“Our coaches are the cornerstone of our club and without their time, dedication and expertise we simply would not exist,” said Myra, adding that a huge amount of time and work had gone into achieving the award.

“I’d like to thank all who helped with the submission in any way, it was most appreciated,” assured Myra who reserved particular praise for Mary Fitzpatrick and “invaluable” IT skills.

A date will be confirmed in due course for the official presentation of the Club Mark plaque.

Cloonacool Players

In an event that is sure not to be missed, the Cloonacool Players are to perform two 1-Act plays on the evenings of Thursday and Friday, October 26 and27, and Sunday, October 29 in Cloonacool Community Centre, with curtain up at 8pm each evening. Lady Gregory’s ‘Spreading the News’ cast includes Tom Towey, Mary Kathleen Johnston and Margaret McInytre, with Martin McIntyre and Dennis Ross appearing in Malachy McKenna’s masterpiece ‘The Quiet Land’. The latter is the Players’ All-Ireland 1-Act Festival entry. Come and enjoy.

Charity ball

A four-course gala dinner is to be held at the Great National Hotel, Ballina on Saturday, October 28 in aid of the Foxford and District Alzheimer Trust Charity. Pre-booking of tickets for the Memories Charity Ball is now available, with tickets available as singles all the way up to tables of ten, so why not invite your friends, family and work colleagues to what has the makings of a hugely enjoyable night in aid of a very worthy cause.

Entertainment on the evening is by The Gamblers and DJ Chris Lawlor, with lots of surprises and prizes on the night.

For information please contact 094-92-56662 or email factsocialclub1@ gmail.com.

Music club

The Irish Traditional Music Club Swinford has a class dedicated to learning old Irish folksongs and ballads in Swinford National School each Tuesday from 4 to 4.30pm. The cost is €5. There is also a mixed instrument tuition class for beginners/improvers from 4.30 to 5pm and a mixed instrument class for advanced from 5 to 5.30pm followed by an Irish traditional session from 5.30 to 6pm.

Newcomers of all ages and abilities are welcome. For more information email Joe and Adele at info.dulahan@ gmail.com.