Local Notes: All the latest news from Foxford
Members of Foxford Foróige Club are pictured at the Mayo Foróige Prom Ball 2025, held at the Castlecourt Hotel in Westport. Picture: Trish Forde
Students from St Joseph’s Secondary School in Foxford were presented with a Gaelbhratach (Irish flag) at a ceremony in Mary Immaculate College, Limerick, last week. They were one of just two schools from Mayo to be recognised for their promotion of the Irish language by Gael Linn.
A treasure hunt, set dancing, a workshop for St Brigid’s festival, and intercom announcements as Gaeilge were just some of the activities set up and run by student committees in both St Joseph’s, Foxford and the other county recipient, St Joseph’s Community College, Charlestown.
‘Gaelbhratach' is a national initiative run by Gael Linn that encourages primary and secondary school students to speak Irish outside of the formal classroom setting. Students from St Joseph’s, Foxford attended the ceremony which marked the eleventh year of the scheme in post-primary schools.
Flags were awarded in recognition of students’ efforts to inspire and empower their school communities to speak Irish.
Commenting on the awards, Edel Ní Bhraonáin, Bainisteoir Gaelbhratach said: “Gaelbhratach gives young people of any age or background the opportunity to use and develop their Irish language skills outside of the traditional classroom setting. The programme aims to put the student voice at the centre of their learning through the Gaelbhratach committee. The student-led committee plays a central role in guiding Gaelbhratach initiatives throughout the school year, empowering students in Mayo to take active ownership of their language use and learning while promoting Irish in meaningful, self-directed ways.”
Ms Ní Bhraonáin continued: “The scheme is going from strength to strength, with 65 schools being awarded a flag for the first time this year. It’s inspiring to see young people’s growing passion for the language. The most rewarding part of the scheme is hearing feedback from both students and teachers about how they've woven the language into their daily lives and the positive impact it has made.”
In a statement, St Joseph’s Secondary School, Foxford said it was a “very special year for Roinn na Gaeilge in achieving this award” and that it looked forward to “continuing this positive journey and spreading our ‘Grá don Ghaeilge’.”
It’s a case from one derby to another for the minor footballers of Moy Davitts as they get ready to take on Swinford tonight (Tuesday) in the County MFL Division 4 semi-final. That’s as a result of a comprehensive 3-25 to 0-13 victory last week over their neighbours from the other end of the catchment area, Bonniconlon. Moy Davitts have home advantage for the semi-final. Throw-in is at 7pm and the referee is Paul Lydon from Kiltimagh. All support would be greatly appreciated.
Meanwhile, Moy Davitts were squeezed out by Aghamore by the narrowest of margins in last Thursday’s hugely competitive clash in the County U16 Division 4 Football League. The visitors to Foxford ran out one point winners, 4-13 to 6-08. The team does have another game in the Division 4 Shield this Thursday, May 22 where they host Bonniconlon at 7pm. Ronan Gurren from Aghamore is the referee.
This Thursday, May 22, Ballinrobe are the visitors to Sraith Garbh to play Moy Davitts in Division 1 of the County U14 Football League. Throw-in is at 7pm and Michael Daly of Ballyhaunis is the referee. In the same competition, Moy Davitts will also host Westport next Monday, May 26 at 7pm. That game will be reffed by Jon Finn from Aghamore.
On Saturday next, May 24, St Joseph’s Park in Knockmore will host a derby between the host club and Moy Davitts in Group 7 of the County U10 Go Games.
The U16 ladies footballers are away from this Wednesday, May 21 for their third round league game with Kiltimagh in Division 4A. Throw-in is at 7pm.
The intermediate and junior teams of Moy Davitts both won their last outings in the Mayo Senior Football League. The first team were 4-17 to 1-17 winners away to Hollymount-Carramore in Division 1B while the second team beat their hosts Garrymore by 2-10 to 3-6 in Division 4A.
The first team are in league action once again next Saturday, May 24 when they entertain Westport at 7pm. The referee is John Brennan from Claremorris.
Also in winning form are the senior ladies of Moy Davitts who picked up a notable 2-9 to 1-9 win over Carnacon in Round 4 of the Melissa Patterson Memorial League.
The River Moy continues to drop in the upper reaches due to the ongoing fine dry spell of weather, but there remains deep water and so the Foxford Salmon Anglers reported eight salmon, all spring fish between eight and twelve pounds in weight, as caught on the week ending Sunday, May 11. They were taken on all methods. The river is in great condition as are the riverbanks which makes everything very accessible.
It’s a little way off but one to put in the diary nonetheless, with confirmation that Foxford Singing Club, established under the umbrella of Admiral Brown Comhaltas, will run a singing club for children 7 years plus over the course of four weeks this coming September.
It will start at Foxford Sports and Leisure Centre on Thursday, September 15 with the first to third class ‘Little Larks’ from 5pm to 5.45pm and the fourth to sixth class ‘Silver Sparrows’ meeting from 6pm to 6.45pm.
It is free to all Comhaltas members, with branch membership costing only €6 per year. Enquiries to 086-3999774.
The christening took place in St Michael’s Church, Foxford on May Bank Holiday weekend of Cian Anthony Conway, son of Sarah and Colin, Culmore, Foxford. Best wishes are extended to all.
Congratulations to Sean Heneghan from Foxford who was the winner of €420 in the Moy Davitts GAA 50-50 draw. You can purchase your tickets through the club app which is available to download to your smart device.
A 3-3 draw at home to Killala saw S&F United move one point clear of the relegation places in the Castlecourt Hotel Mayo Premier Division. They have picked up eight points from their first nine games in what is a highly competitive division. S&F had trailed 2-0 until Luke Ruane scored two minutes before half-time to halve their deficit. But they conceded a third before two goals in the 88th and 91st minutes by Kevin McDermott rescued a draw.
After last year’s hugely successful event, Moy Davitts GAA Club is to hold another golf classic in 2025. It will again take place in Ballina Golf Club on Saturday, August 9. Entry details to follow.
Don’t forget the St Joseph's Secondary School lotto which was launched earlier this year. Entry is €2.50 per line or €5 for three lines. They can be purchased online at www.ourfundraiser.ie/org/stjosephsfoxford. All support gratefully accepted. Contact 094-92-56145 for more details.
The 50th anniversary of Fr Padraig Costello’s ordination to the priesthood will be celebrated on Sunday, June 1 and the Foxford Parish Pastoral Council and organising committee are extending an open invitation to the community to join in a Golden Jubilee celebration Mass in honour of Fr Padraig at St Michael’s Church, Foxford at 6pm. It will be livestreamed on www.churchtv.ie/foxford for anyone who cannot be present. A reception will be held immediately afterwards in Foxford Sports and Leisure Centre and it is hoped as many people as possible will attend both events.
In addition, the organisers are creating a memory book to commemorate Fr Padraig's years of service to the community. If you have a special photograph reflecting his involvement with your group that you would like included, email a copy to foxfordparishcouncil@gmail.com.
For any further queries, you may also contact any of the following: Angela Neary, chairperson, 087-9291598; Geraldine Carroll, secretary, 085-1174497; Helen Clarke 085-8282000; Michael Lavin 085-8300716; Marion Ryder 087-9233928.
The Rosary is being said at 7pm at the Grotto on the Swinford Road every Friday for the Month of May. All are welcome.
Providing the weather allows, Mass is to be celebrated outside St Thomas’ Church, Callow on June 1 at 10am.
The Mayo AC 5k Series is coming to Foxford on the evening of Tuesday, May 27. You can enter the race for €10 (€12 for non-Athletics Ireland members). The minimum entry age is 13 years on the day of the race. To enter, visit www.mayoac.com.
Registrations are now being accepted for this summer's Moy Davitts GAA Kellogg's Cúl Camp which takes place from Monday, June 30 until Friday, July 4. Register at www.kelloggsculcamps.gaa.ie.
A reunion of the Class of 2005 from St Joseph’s Secondary School, Foxford is organised for Saturday, June 14. Anyone who was a member of the year group from 1999 to 2005 are invited to attend.
Past students are asked to register their interest with Cian at 087-3346803, Maria at 089-4435771 or Nadine at 086-1610559.
On the second and fourth Thursday of every month, the Foxford Board Games social group meets at Foxford Sports and Leisure Centre at 7pm where new and different board games are played. All are welcome to attend.
