Local Notes: Big night planned for Fleadh maestros
Some of the attendees at the annual Christmas clay shoot organised by Foxford/Toomore gun club on St Stephen’s Day.
A celebration has been planned to take place in Foxford next month to honour all those members of the local Admiral Brown CCÉ branch who were prizewinners and finalists at last year’s All-Ireland Fleadh Cheoil in Mullingar. The event will be held in the Moy Hotel on Friday, February 16 and an open invitation is extended for everyone to come along and celebrate the great success enjoyed by the branch in 2023.
The 2023 branch awards will also be presented on the night. A great night of music, song, dance and stories is guaranteed with finger food on the night. Be sure to bring your family and friends.
The Foxford/Toomore gun club held their annual Christmas clay shoot, which was a team event for the Michael Tiernan Jnr Perpetual Cup, on St Stephen’s Day. The high gun was won by Foxford’s own Eddie Coleman while the winning team was Lahardane.
The proceeds of the annual Christmas lights display at the home of the Hughes Family in Coolegrane are to be presented to Mayo Roscommon Hospice at a special ceremony in the Moy Hotel, Foxford on Friday, January 26 at 9pm. Pat’s County Roadshow will be on stage from 9pm and a very enjoyable night is in store. All are welcome to attend.
A meeting was held last night (Monday) at the Foxford Sports and Leisure Centre with the hope of formulating a committee to revive the St Patrick’s Day parade, which would be a welcome addition to the town’s calendar of events. Best of luck to all concerned.
The senior boys soccer team from St Joseph’s, Foxford are in action today (Tuesday) in the final of the FAI Schools John Murphy Senior ‘B’ Connacht Cup. Last year’s All-Ireland finalists play Glenamaddy Community School at the home of Moyne Villa FC, Headford. Kick off is at 11.30am.
The team will be hoping they can avoid the date of St Joseph’s senior girls team who were desperately unlucky to lose last Thursday’s FAI Schools Senior ‘B’ Girls Connacht Cup final. After a scoreless draw after extra-time against St Clare’s Comprehensive School, Manorhamilton, they lost 3-2 on penalties at Solar21 Park, Castlebar.
Knockmore/Foxford Boxing Club would like to thank everyone who collected and who contributed to their bucket collections that were held on consecutive weekends in Foxford and Swinford just prior to Christmas. Eighteen club members together with their parents were involved in collecting the donations that are going towards the development of the club’s new gym. Particular thanks is extended to Laura and Bernie O’Hara from Centra Foxford and Michael Tiernan of Tiernan’s Fish Shop for their use of equipment.
There will be no adoration of the Blessed Sacrament in St Michael’s Church, Foxford this Wednesday but will resume at 6pm the following Wednesday, January 24.
There is an immense sense of sadness in the area following the death last week of Straide publican Brendan Maloney. Much more than just the proprietor of The Copper Beech, such was his impact since his arrival to the village in 2005 that he was said by locals to have become more Straide than Straide itself.
A tremendous and loyal sponsor and supporter in every sense of Moy Davitts GAA and S&F United, to name just two of the many local organisations who benefited from his generosity and time, Brendan first set-up home in ‘The Copper’ some eighteen years ago when moving from Tuam where he had been also involved in the licensed trade.
Renowned for his good humour, from the get-go Brendan immersed himself in everything that was going on in Straide and ‘The Copper’ became the hub of the community. Brendan himself would become chairman of the Michael Davitt Museum, a position he retained at the time of his passing last Thursday.
“Brendan was an incredible, industrious shining light in our community for many years and epitomised all that is great about the parish of Straide,” said the Museum in a statement. “He will be sadly missed by the many people who knew him, and were proud to call him their friend. We would like to extend our sincere condolences to Brendan's family.”
Brendan held a deep love of sport and was a founding member of Sylane Hurling Club in his native Galway and was even a selector with the Galway team that won the 1992 All-Ireland minor hurling championship.
Moy Davitts GAA paid their own tribute to Brendan Maloney, saying The Copper Beech was always a welcoming venue in victory or defeat.
“Perhaps the most memorable night was in 2017 when the intermediate championship-winning team arrived back from Castlebar. The Copper was packed tight, the craic was good and Brendan kept the cup filled. There’s no doubt he could have kicked us all out that night but instead he worked tirelessly into the early hours of the morning and ensured everyone got home safely on the bus or in his personal car. That was the kind of man he was. He never saw anyone stuck.”
S&F United also remembered a man whose hallmarks were his generosity and kindness.
“Brendan supported us in every way possible, from sponsorship to sandwiches, cup success to cup commiserations, promotions and relegations – Brendan was there for it all.
“We will miss your smile and hearty laugh behind the bar of The Copper. Thank you for your support to us but most of all thank you for your friendship.”
Both clubs formed guards of honour as huge crowds turned up to Straide Hall last Saturday where Brendan lay in repose before his removal to Tuam where he also lay in repose at Glynn's Funeral Home on Sunday in advance of removal to St Conleth's Church, Kilconly. Funeral Mass was yesterday (Monday) followed by burial in Kilconly Cemetery.
Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam.
Almost €1000 was paid out in the last two 50/50 draws of Moy Davitts GAA Club. Well done to Dayna Towey from Foxford and Grace Gavin from Castlebar who won €440 and €517 respectively. A huge thank you to everyone who supported the draws. Tickets are available in the usual retail outlets and at smartlotto.ie.
Charlestown Drama Group is casting its net in search of anyone who would be interested in joining. A meeting of CDG will be held on Thursday, January 25 at 8pm in Charlestown Arts Centre. New members are especially welcome and no experience is necessary.
The funeral took place yesterday (Monday) of Martin Holmes, from Cuingbeg, Foxford.
Martin Snr died peacefully in the exceptional care of the staff of the Mayo Hospice, Castlebar.
Predeceased recently by his beloved wife Shirley, Martin will be dearly missed by his loving family, Martin, Theresa, Claire, David and Paul, along with his adored grandchildren, relatives, neighbours and friends.
Martin reposed at Clarke’s Funeral Home on Sunday evening before removal to The Church of Christ The King, Knockmore where his funeral Mass was celebrated on Monday. Burial afterwards was in Cloghans cemetery.
May he rest in peace.
The funeral took place on Sunday, January 7 of Bridget Ruane (née Dixon), Churchpark, Foxford. A native of Morahan, Belmullet, Bridget passed peacefully in the exceptional care of the staff of The Mayo Hospice, Castlebar.
Predeceased by her beloved husband Pat and her brothers Daniel and Patrick, Bridget will be dearly and loving missed by her loving family sons Brian, Paddy and Michael and her daughters Mary and Sarah, her grandchildren Matthew, Adam, Amie, Kelley, Casey, Tristian, Eoin, Danni, Diarmuid and Brian, daughters in-law Laura, Catherine and Lauren, sons in-law David and Antoin, her sisters Margaret and Mary, along with nephews, nieces, in-laws, relatives, neighbours and a wide circle of friends.
Bridget’s funeral Mass was held at St Michael’s Church, Foxford with burial afterwards at Craggagh Cemetery.
May she rest in peace.
Moy Davitts GAA Club is again participating in the Ireland Lights up ‘Every Step Counts Challenge’ for 2024, which is being supported by Irish Life. The idea is that as many people walk on behalf of Moy Davitts and log their activities on the ‘Irish Life My Life App’ which is available as a download on your smartphone.
The club has created a schedule of 5k walks across its catchment areas over the coming weeks, with the next one taking place this Wednesday, January 17 starting at 7pm at Foxford Sports and Leisure Centre.
Bereavement charity Anam Cara is encouraging parents who have faced the death of a child to reach out for support. It can become a new tradition, attending a meeting once a month over the entire year. It is not a tradition anyone wants to have to start but sadly, organisations such as Anam Cara need to exist. Over 2,000 bereaved parents attended Anam Cara events in 2023 at no cost to themselves, all their services are free of charge.
Next Tuesday, January 23, Anam Cara will hold their Mayo meeting in the TF Royal Hotel, Castlebar at 7:15pm. They welcome any bereaved parent, regardless of the age of the child or circumstances of death, to the meeting.
Registration is not required to attend the meeting. Anam Cara can be contacted on 085 2888888 or by email info@anamcara.ie.
Last week’s meeting of the Foxford Board Games group was postponed on account of the icy conditions so their first gathering of 2024 instead take place on Thursday, January 25. The sessions run from 7pm until 9.30pm at Foxford Sports and Leisure Centre and are open to anyone from the age of 14 upwards.
The participants play a large variety of Euro-style board, card and dice games. All the games are provided and taught. New games are also welcome. The games are based on strategy, challenge and socialisation.
It’s a free event, so why not join an amazing group for a fun evening of interesting board games.
