Local notes: Birthday celebrations for famous hero
Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht Dara Calleary TD pictured at Sraith Garbh with executive officers of Moy Davitts GAA Club and local public representatives to mark the allocation of €95,255 from the Climate Action Fund. The club will use the funding to provide an integrated upgrade to cut electricity use and embed circularity and active travel across the club. Pictured are Cllr Adrian Forkan, Mark Reape, Bernie Byron, Cllr Neil Cruise, Minister Dara Calleary, Willie Byrne (chairperson), Fr Padraic Costello (patron), Teresa Mulligan and Cathal Hennelly (president).
Foxford will come alive next Saturday, June 20 for a vibrant celebration of Argentina Day. This is to mark the 249th anniversary of the birth of Admiral William Brown, the Foxford native who became the founder of the Argentine Navy. Everyone from the Foxford locality and the Argentine community living in Ireland are warmly invited to join the festivities. People from all around Mayo and Ireland are also invited to visit the area and experience the atmosphere.
Born in Foxford on June 22, 1777, Admiral William Brown emigrated from Ireland as a child and went on to become known in Argentina as the “Father of the Navy” and often referred to as the “Father of the Seas.” He remains one of the country’s most respected national heroes.
This year’s event carries special significance as it marks the beginning of the countdown to 2027, when Foxford, Mayo and Argentina will celebrate the 250th anniversary of Admiral Brown’s birth with a programme of major commemorative events and international collaborations.
Saturday’s commemorations will proceed as follows: 11.15am – Prayers at Craggagh Cemetery; 12pm – Mass at St. Michael’s Church, Foxford, including a welcome to distinguished guests and ambassadors; 1pm – Wreath-laying ceremony at the Admiral Brown Monument on Church Road, led by the Foxford Brass and Reed Band; 1.30pm – Walk along the scenic Admiral Brown Trail and River Moy Promenade; 3pm – Reception and celebrations in the Admiral Brown Hall.
Among those expected to attend are Her Excellency Ana Cachaza, Argentine Ambassador to Ireland, and Her Excellency Olive Hempenstall, Irish Ambassador to Argentina, reflecting the importance of the occasion and the enduring diplomatic and cultural links between the two nations. The Admiral Brown Hall is expected to be a hive of fun, celebration, and cultural exchange throughout the afternoon.
All are welcome to attend.
Have you got a hidden talent you’d love to share? Whether it’s singing, dancing, music, comedy, storytelling, magic, or something completely unique, Moy Davitts LGFA would love to hear from you as the club prepares to stage a Variety/Talent Night this coming Friday, June 19 in aid of Mayo Roscommon Hospice Foundation.
The event, taking place in the Admiral Brown Hall, Foxford, is part of Moy Davitts LGFA’s participation in the Lidl Serious Support Club Programme.
An evening of entertainment and community spirit is guaranteed, all in the name of fundraising for a very worthy cause.
If you are interested in performing, you can get in touch with Moy Davitts LGFA via their Facebook page.
The date for submissions to the Section 38 consultation on proposals for the junction of the N58 Main Street, N26 Chapel Road, L-5361 Lower Main Street and the Pedestrian Crossing of the N26 in Foxford, has been extended and will now run until Friday, June 19. The proposed scheme may be inspected at https://consult.mayo.ie while hard copies are available from Mayo County Council offices in Castlebar.
There was a sizeable leap in salmon catches on the River Moy last week, which coincided with an increase in the number of fishermen and women too, with Foxford Salmon Anglers reporting 22 fish caught for the week ending Sunday, June 7. The heaviest weighed in at 16.5lb and four of the fish were released. The worm suited best when the river was coloured and the prawn when it cleared. The club says there are reports of many double figure fish going through the system in good numbers.
Meanwhile, Foxford Salmon Anglers are to stage the Jim Adamson Perpetual Cup competition on Saturday, June 27 at the Rinnaney Fishery on the River Moy. All are welcome to take part. The competition will run between 8am and 5pm, with weigh in and light refreshments shortly after at Davy's Hut (the first carpark).
The senior footballers of Moy Davitts recorded a third straight win in Mayo SFL Division 2 on Friday evening last, beating Charlestown Sarsfields 2-17 to 1-14 in Sraith Garbh. They played with the breeze at their backs in the first-half, with goals by Stephen Clarke and Conor Reid and a brace of two-pointers from Colm McHale helping them establish an eight points half-time lead. Scoring the opening three points of the second-half was crucial to them managing to keep Charlestown at a safe distance from thereon, and they were full value for their win which came on the back of victories over Davitts and Hollymount-Carramore also. It’s to South Mayo they are due to travel this Saturday with Ballinrobe providing the opposition. (See full match report in sports section).
Congratulations to Eithne and Michael Brogan, Ballina Road, Foxford on their jackpot win in last week’s Moy Davitts GAA 50-50 draw. They scooped a prize of €550.
The St Joseph’s Family of Parishes is to hold a Pilgrimage for Peace on Sunday, June 28 with participants invited to gather at Straide Church at 2pm for a local pilgrimage walk, followed by a prayer service for Peace in Straide Abbey. The afternoon will also include a brief history of Straide Abbey and Michael Davitt, with refreshments served afterwards in Straide Community Centre. All are welcome to join in prayer, peace and friendship.
There were excellent wins for two of S&F United’s underage teams in knockout competitions last week. In the Mayo U13 Girls Shield, S&F hosted Iorras Aontaithe at Green Road and secured their place in the final thanks to a thrilling 5-4 win. Kayleigh McDermott struck a hat-trick and there was a goal apiece by Anna Clarke and Lucy Durkan.
Five goals was the order of the day for S&F United in the Mayo U11 Boys Shield also, with William Hughes scoring four and Evan Kelly one, in a 5-2 victory over Claremorris.
Best of luck to both teams in their finals.
There were €100 jackpot wins for Thomas Walsh, Ballina and Ivy Jordan, Straide in the two most recent 50-50 draws held by S&F United. The club wishes to thanks everyone who continues to buy their weekly tickets, whether in local outlets or online at Smart Lotto, and reminds that season tickets are also always available from committee members where entry to 52 draws is just €50.
Plans are afoot to hold a 30 year reunion of St Joseph’s Secondary School’s 1996 Leaving Certificate class later this year. Organisers have arranged the event for Saturday, September 12 in The Riverbank, Foxford where a night of music, memories and lots, lots more is guaranteed, with further details to follow.
Former students are asked to save the date and spread the word. You can get in touch by email at classof96stjosephs@gmail.com or follow on Facebook at Class of 1996 Reunion.
Congratulations are extended to JJ Michael Ruane and parents Rebecca and Noel, Glanduff, on JJ’s baptising at St Michael’s Church, Foxford and to Michael John Gallagher, son of Denise and Brian, Nephin View, on his baptising at St Michael’s also.
A mission to run 100 kilometres in the month of June is currently underway by Nicola O’Hora of Belgarrow. She is doing so in order to raise funds for Breast Cancer Research and you can support her worthy cause by donating on the www.idonate.ie fundraising platform.
Sympathy is extended to the family of Josephine Hall on her recent passing. Josephine served in numerous positions on the executive committee of Moy Davitts LGFA down through the years and her daughters Sandra and Tracey are integral members of the senior team.
“She was a tremendous supporter of our club, hardly ever missing a match and if she did, regular score updates were sent to her phone. She had a great sense of humour and her quick wit was always on hand. She will be greatly missed,” said a statement from Moy Davitts LGFA.
Josephine was also a treasured SNA at Carramore NS near Killasser, where she touched so many lives with her kindness, patience and understanding. Her friends and colleagues there said she would always be remembered for her boundless energy, quick wit and her great sense of humour.
Josephine’s funeral Mass was celebrated on Sunday, June 7 at The Church of the Immaculate Conception and St Joseph’s Church, Bohola with burial afterwards in Bohola cemetery.
She will be sadly missed by her heartbroken family, husband PJ, son Kieran, daughters Nicola, Sandra and Tracey, sisters Pauline (McEllin) and Geraldine (Doherty), brothers Danny, Tony and Kieran, daughter-in-law Sandy, sons-in-law Sean and David, grandchildren, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews, family and friends.
May she rest in peace.
A one day retreat entitled ‘Opening our Hearts to God's love this Summer’ is to be held on Saturday, June 20 at Fr Peyton Memorial Centre, Attymass. Running from 11am to 4.30pm, the day includes spiritual talks, reflection, quiet time, rosary and Mass. The cost is €25, which includes tea, coffee on arrival and light lunch. Booking is essential.
The Fr Peyton Memorial Centre in Attymass is to lead a ‘Rosary on the Reek’ on Saturday, June 27. Participants are asked to gather at the Grotto in the car park in Murrisk at 9.45am to begin the climb of Croagh Patrick at 10am. Rosary and Mass at the summit will be at 12noon.
Sympathy is extended to the family of Jim Tunney, Lisroyne, Strokestown and formerly of Curnageltha, Foxford. A retired member of An Garda Siochána, Jim passed peacefully at the Mater Private, Dublin, following a lengthy illness. Jim’s funeral Mass on Monday, June 8 at The Church of the Immaculate Conception, Strokestown was followed by burial afterwards in Aughavale Cemetery, Westport.
Sympathy is also extended to the family of Foxford native Evelyn Sheeran (née Kennedy), who passed peacefully at her residence on The Neale Road, Ballinrobe on June 10. Evelyn’s funeral Mass was celebrated at St Mary’s Church, Ballinrobe on Saturday with burial afterwards in new cemetery, Ballinrobe.
May they rest in peace.
Foxford and District Alzheimer Trust is to host its annual FACT Dementia Mile next Sunday, June 21 – the longest day of the year.
You are invited to join FACT for an enjoyable afternoon for refreshments with family, friends and neighbours featuring music from Padriag Moran all while raising awareness for dementia in Co Mayo in aid of the Foxford Alzheimer's and Community Trust social club and support services.
The walk will take place at 3.30pm.
For further information contact 085-8485278 or email factsocialclub1@gmail.com.
The powerful Irish drama 'The Kings of the Kilburn High Road' will be staged at St Brigid's Hall, Tubbercurry this Friday, June 19 at 8pm. Five friends who came to London as young men to make their fortune, now in their 40s, are gathered at an informal wake of one of their mates. Pure Mule Productions brings a strong cast in this drama of laughter and sadness in the form of Peadar Conway, Gerry Farrell, Michael McLoughlin, Niall Brewster and Brian Gallagher, whose great acting does justice to Jimmy Murphy's superb play.
