Foxford ready to roll out a blue and white carpet to dignitaries
2024 Student of the Year at St Joseph's Secondary School in Foxford, Lauren Butler, with special guest, Mayo footballer Padraig O'Hora, and principal Daire McManamon, at the school's annual awards ceremony. See this week's print edition for a full pictorial spread.
Foxford will be abuzz with excitement this coming Saturday, June 22 as the Argentine community living in Ireland visit to join with the town’s people in commemorating 247 years since the birth of Admiral William Brown.
The Admiral Brown Society, Mayo County Council and the Argentine Embassy have joined forces to organise a day of celebration in honour of Foxford’s most famous son and one of Argentina’s most revered historical figures.
The Argentinian Ambassador HE Ana Cachaza and the HE Papal Nuncio Luis Mariana Montemayor will attend. The papal nuncio will celebrate Mass in St Michael’s Church at 12noon. Afterwards there will be a wreath laying ceremony on Chapel Road, a walk to the Admiral Brown Promenade and a reception.
The children of Foxford NS, with their teachers Ms Gordon and art director Bernadette Ruddy, have created a beautiful art work of The Libertad which will be unveiled on the day. Argentinian singer Antonella and musicians are to also perform along with the Foxford Brass and Reed Band who will lead the ceremonies. Local musicians and dancers from the Admiral Brown Comhaltas will also be in attendance at a reception in The Moy Hotel at 3pm.
Another feature of the day’s events will be the annual commissioning ceremony of the Irish Navy’s 61 cadet class and a heritage trail walk to the River Moy promenade.
The local Rural Social Scheme and Foxford Town Enhancement Scheme have been busy working painting, strimming and cleaning the town for the occasion and there has been great support too from Cllr Neil Cruise, O’Hara’s Bakery, Mayo Education and Support Centre (The Art Blast Programme ), The Moy Hotel and Foxford NS.
Everyone is invited to come along and join in what promises to be a great occasion. You could even wear the blue and white colours and help turn Foxford into a colourful and welcoming spectacle on the day.
A campaign is underway to raise funds for Foxford Riverfest, which will celebrate its 10th anniversary with what is intended to be the best festival yet, on the weekend of August 23-25.
A number of new events are planned to be held this year as part of the festival, including at Foxford Leisure Centre and the Admiral Brown Promenade, with a big party to round things off on Sunday 25th. But there will also be the ever-popular and much-loved ‘Candles to the Sea’ on Friday and lots of crafters, stalls, food, children’s activities and music on Saturday.
Money raised in advance of last year’s festival helped to finance superb new crafter stalls, gazebos to provide cover for some performers, PA systems, a fit-out of the festival’s storage area and support for the wonderful community art project – investments that can be used again this year and into the future. But additional funds are required to broaden the festival and so a donations page is now in operation. The organisers want to bridge the town centre with the river by extending the festival not just the extra day (Sunday), but down to the Leisure Centre area as well. This will include a lantern parade linking the town and promenade, led (if funding allows) by some amazing drummers.
If you think you could spare a donation to help to make it a community party weekend to remember, visit www.idonate.ie and search for Foxford Riverfest.
A pair of fabulous local charities are set to benefit from an open weekend at Carraig Abhainn Farm in Largan Mór, Foxford.
Jean Beattie has decided to “bite the bullet” and open her garden for charity this coming Saturday and Sunday, June 22 and 23, with the aim of raising money for Western Care and Mayo Roscommon Hospice.
The farm will be open to the public between 11am and 5pm both days, with every cent of the proceeds going to both charities.
Jean is hoping to see lots of people turn up in support of these two deserving causes. For anyone unsure of the location, the Eircode is F26XK80.
Immense sadness descended upon Foxford last week at the untimely passing of Lita Victoria Davis-Maloney, Stonehall, Foxford. Beloved wife of Hughie and mother to Amelia, Juliette and Hugo, Lita passed peacefully in the gentle care of the staff of The Mayo Hospice last Wednesday, June 12.
Predeceased by her father Gordon, Lita was originally from Farganstown, Navan, Co. Meath.
She will be dearly loved and forever missed by her husband Hughie and her cherished and adored children Amelia, Juliette and Hugo, her heartbroken mother Ada, her sisters Julie and Joy and her brothers Glen and Alan, her mother-n-law Margaret, her sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, her uncle and aunts, nieces, nephews, relatives, neighbours and friends.
Lita lay in repose at her residence in Stonehall, Foxford on Friday evening last and the staff and pupils of 2nd, 5th and 6th classes at Foxford National School performed a guard of honour ahead of her funeral service at Foxford Church of Ireland on Saturday. Burial afterwards was at Craggagh Cemetery.
May she rest in peace.
The funeral Mass took place last Monday of Paddy Morrison, Aughaward, Foxford, and formerly of Beltra and Claggan, Glenisland, Castlebar.
In his 91st year, Paddy passed peacefully at Mayo University Hospital on Friday last, June 14.
Paddy, who was predeceased by his parents Bridget and Peter Morrison and his stepfather Jim, will be dearly and sadly missed by his wife Una, son Padraic and daughter Thérése, son-in-law Joe and his grandchildren Conor and Killian, his sister Nora (Liverpool), his brother Jim (Liverpool), his nephews, nieces, relatives neighbours and by many friends.
Paddy lay in repose at Clarke’s Funeral Home on Sunday afternoon before his removal to Toomore Church where his funeral Mass was celebrated on Monday. Burial afterwards was in Toomore Cemetery.
May he rest in peace.
More than a 100% increase on the same week last year was reported by Foxford Salmon Anglers in terms of the number of fish caught on their River Moy beat, for the seven days up to Sunday, June 9.
The prawn, worm, and bubble and fly were all responsible for landing the 36 salmon, which was 20 more than were caught in the first week of June 2023.
Anglers have enjoyed the fact that the ‘spring run’ has happened a little later than in previous years and the good news is that more of the same was expected, even if temperatures could do with increasing a little.
It’s always an eagerly anticipated match whenever Moy Davitts and Swinford collide in championship and this week is expected to be no different, as the under-16 footballers do battle in the opening round of the East Mayo ‘B’ Championship. Moy Davitts will enjoy home advantage for the match which throws-in at 7.30pm on Thursday evening, June 20. The referee is Paul Lydon from Aghamore.
The highs and the lows were experienced by the two U14 teams who represented Moy Davitts LGFA at the Connacht Centre of Excellence on Sunday, June 9.
First up were the Red team who were crowned U14 Division 3 Cup champions after they got the better of The Neale. The White team, however, were second best to Cill Chomain in the Division 6 Shield Final – but only after pushing themselves right to the very end in a game that was eventually settled after extra-time.
Last week’s winner of the Moy Davitts GAA 50-50 draw was none other than senior team player Alan Bourke who scooped a lovely jackpot of €471.
Congratulations to Neil Cruise who came through an epic local election to retain his seat on Mayo County Council. It took two recounts to confirm that Cllr Cruise (FG) had secured one more vote than John Sheahan (SF) in what was a hotly contested race for the fourth available seat in the Swinford Electoral Area. Indeed Neil Cruise was only a handful of votes behind the also-elected John Caulfield (FF) and Adrian Forkan (FF) while the poll topper was Gerry Murray (SF).
In retaining his seat, Cllr Cruise continues the remarkable tradition of Foxford never failing to elect a local-based councillor since the council was established in 1899. It’s an unbroken record that now spans 26 elections in three different centuries.
Straide and Foxford United was proudly represented at last week’s Kennedy Cup in Limerick when Michael Ruane, Sean Walsh and Calum Costello featured on the Mayo Football League’s under-14 team that finished 16th overall. The Kennedy Cup is recognised as the most prestigious underage interleague competition in the country.
Mayo’s campaign concluded with an agonising defeat to Donegal on penalties.
A €145 jackpot was won by Jordan Moore, Foxford in last week’s S&F United 50-50 draw. The club wishes to thank all those who continue to support and buy the weekly tickets which are available to purchase in local outlets and online at smartlotto.ie. Season tickets are also always available to buy from committee members where you can entre 52 draws for €50.
The Foxford Alzheimer Community Trust (FACT) are to mark the longest day of the year, June 21, by holding a fundraising walk. The Dementia Mile will begin and end this Friday at The Moy Hotel in Foxford, with registration at 6pm and the walk commencing at 6.30pm. Refreshments will be served afterwards with music and a raffle also. Sponsorship cards are available by ringing 094-92-56662 or emailing factmanager101@gmail.com.
Knockmore/Foxford Boxing Club will stage their second annual non-contact fun-filled summer camp in Foxford Leisure Centre again this year for boys and girls 6 years and over. Following on from last year’s hugely successful camp, this year’s will run over the course of six Wednesdays in July and August, between the hours of 10am and 3pm. The dates are July 16, 23 and 30, and August 6, 20 and 27.
The camp will consist of various activities such as soccer, penalty shootouts, basketball, tug of war, athletics, skipping competitions and numerous ball games, staged indoor and outdoor weather permitting. Awards will be presented daily to winners and runners-up in the events and participants who attend the full six days of camp will be eligible to one free day.
Numbers are limited. The fee is €20 per day or €100 for all six days. To pre-register, forward names to 086-8373646.
