Local notes: Boxing club gives thanks for local generosity
Louise McTigue, left, and Noney Smyth were two of the collectors at Knockmore Foxford Boxing Club's recent bucket collection.
Knockmore/Foxford boxing club held a hugely successful street bucket collection in aid of their newly constructed gym in Foxford and Swinford on December 20. The club is extremely grateful to everyone that generously donated to the collection. Well done also to the collectors that generously gave their time to make the collection a worthwhile fundraising event. The club is also grateful to Centra for supplying the power to provide the cheerful Christmas music on the street and also to Roddy Gallagher for supplying the speaker. A generous donation from the Healing Waters Community Church CLG Ballina during the collection took the grand total collected to a very satisfactory figure to help the club cover some of the high unexpected invoices received from services such as electricity, water and gas in recent weeks. The building is now in an advanced condition with great financial support recently coming from independent Councillor Joe Faughnan’s GMA council funding.
A quiz night is being organised by Admiral Brown CCÉ to take place in St Joseph’s Secondary School, Foxford this coming Friday night, January 9. The event is aimed at raising funds for the 2026 Foxford Traditional Weekend. Doors open at 7.30pm with the quiz set to get underway at 8pm, with refreshments served.
Entry is €40 per table of four and your support would be greatly appreciated so why not come along for a lovely social occasion. There will be prizes for the winners and lots of raffle spot prizes.
A princely sum of €376 is to be donated to the Mayo Roscommon Hospice Foundation’s Sunshine Children’s Hospice as a result of the fundraising efforts by several young members of Admiral Brown CCÉ who kept tradition alive when performing locally as Wren Boys on St Stephen’s Day.
There is profound sadness at the untimely passing of Angela Ruane from Cloongee whose peaceful death occurred at University College Hospital in Galway following a short illness.
The large attendances at her reposing in Clarke’s Funeral Home and at her funeral Mass at St Michael’s Church, Foxford on Wednesday, December 31 were indicative of the respect in which Angela and the Ruane Family are held.
Moy Davitts GAA paid a particular tribute to their former club secretary; Angela held the position on two occasions, in 1984-85 and 2004-05, and was a lifelong supporter of the club with whom the Ruane Family has particularly strong ties. Club members formed a guard of honour in club colours at Angela’s removal.
Predeceased by her parents Sean and Mary and sister-in-law Trish, Angela will be dearly and forever missed by her brothers and sisters Michael, Maureen, John, Gráinne, Noeline and Gary, her nieces and nephews, sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, and Andy, her aunt Mairéad, her uncle Martin, her many dear cousins, neighbours, work colleagues and many friends.
Following the celebration of her funeral Mass, Angela was interred at Craggagh Cemetery.
May she rest in peace.
The Parents Association Committee of Foxford National School has expressed its heartfelt gratitude for the support and participation in its inaugural Christmas School Raffle. The tickets were pulled by the students of 6th Class and the winners were as follows: Catherine Downey, one night B&B at Great National Hotel, Ballina; John Flannery, €100 One4All voucher (sponsor, RMD Property Solutions Limited); Geralyn Early, hamper (sponsor, CGQ Developments Ltd.); Ann McGarry, 4x green fees at Swinford Golf Club; Marty and Esther Munnelly, €50 voucher for Chrissie’s Chippy; Michelle Neary, €50 voucher for EZ Living Furniture, Castlebar; Isabel Maria Bijoy, Foxford Pharmacy hamper; John Flannery, Foxford Woollen Mills ladies scarf; Angela McDermott, €30 voucher for Gruaig Nua; Michelle and Willie Walsh, €30 voucher for Salon de Beaute; Olga Radchenko, K-pop Demon Hunters gifts (sponsor, Made in Callow); Sarah Casserly, €25 voucher for Gala Foxford; Bernadette Ruddy, €25 voucher for Pizza Pod; Michael and Muireann Curley €25 voucher for Pizza Pod; Christopher and Yvonne Dempsey, €20 voucher for Clive’s Butcher Shop; Bernie Joyce, €20 voucher for Next Generation Hair Salon; Emma Ruane, €20 voucher for The Old Salt; Yating Cheng, haircut at Liam’s Barber; Mary Moore, haircut at Liam’s Barber.
The Parents Association has also expressed its gratitude to the carol singing committee, the carol singers and musicians, and the bucket collectors, who all braved the elements on the final weekend before Christmas in another wonderful fundraising initiative. It was no easy task but very worthwhile!
Congratulations to S&F United player Paul Moran who was last week named on the Mayo Football League’s Portwest Masters League Division 2 Team of the Year. The overall Player of the Year will be named at the league’s annual awards dinner on January 24 at the Castlecourt Hotel, Westport.
S&F United has crowned Ferdia McGreal as its recipient of The Tommy McGowan Young Player of the Year for 2025. Ferdia had an incredible season which culminated in him being called into the Mayo panel.
The Tommy McGowan Young Player of the Year award is presented each year to an U11 Boys player in memory of Tommy's legacy of work with the youths in S&F. It was sponsored by The Boyle Family from the Run for Boylo proceeds.
Foxford native – and former S&F United player – Amber Hardy has signed for top League of Ireland club Treaty United. The goalkeeper moves to the Limerick outfit from Sligo Rovers where she came through the academy and made eighteen first-team appearances.
Congratulations are extended to Chris Nealon, Cloonygowan and Joanne Wang, China, whose marriage took place in St Michael’s Church, Foxford on Monday, December 22.
The baptism of Iarla Enda Gilmore, son of Hannah and Ronan, Cloongee, was celebrated at St Michael’s Church, Foxford on Monday, December 29 while parents Ruth and Nicholas, from France, celebrated the baptism of their son Cathal Pierre Meriott at St Michael’s Church on Sunday, December 21.
FACT Social Club is an independent community-based service in Foxford supporting people living with Dementia or in rural isolation. It is open Monday to Friday and provides social interaction, activities and much more in a safe and supported environment. If you would like more information on the services it offers, contact factsocialclub1@gmail.com or telephone 094-92-56662.
Well done to Aideen McDonnell who was the winner of the cup for 'Best Improver' at the Christmas junior session of Admiral Brown CCÉ which ws held in Cruiser's Bar, Foxford. The cup was presented by branch officer Tom Doherty.
The festive period proved a particularly busy time for the members of Foxford Brass and Reed Band. Among their assignments were performances for the residents of Sonas Nursing Home in Knock and for the arriving passengers at Ireland West Airport Knock along with a visit to St Nicholas' Special School in Ballina, where they also helped to spread the Christmas cheer. This followed on from some other shows in early December at Foxford Craft Fair and at the band’s annual concert in St Michael’s Church.
Marie McGahon was the winner of a €1000 jackpot in the Moy Davitts GAA 50-50 draw held on Sunday, December 28 while Matthew Gill picked up a prize of €535 in the pre-Christmas draw. The club extends a huge thank you to everyone who supports the draws.
Registration to join Moy Davitts GAA for 2026 is now open. There are a range of membership options available, including registration and the annual club lotto, which would make for an ideal Christmas present. You can register at www.foireann.ie and if you experience any difficulties, contact Paula via WhatsApp on 087-3226777.
Registration runs from January 1 to December 31 annually, and all players must be registered before returning to training.
Fr John Keane and Deacon Don Devanney are to hold a Eucharistic Healing Retreat at the Fr Peyton Centre, Attymass on Sunday, February 8, 2026. Places are limited places so booking is essential. Contact Nicola at 087-9622800.
Members of the public are being asked to put forward nominations for the 2026 Mayo County Council Cathaoirleach awards, which recognise the valuable contribution made by people to the county. Mags Connell from the council’s Communications Department told members at a council SPC meeting on Friday last that the awards have gone from strength to strength ever since being launched in 2021. For 2026 there are 17 awards up for grabs in categories from publications to local heritage, biodiversity, the arts, tourism, the diaspora etc. Nominations close on January 23, 2026, and the awards ceremony takes place in March 2026. Full details at www.mayo.ie/cathaoirleachsawards2025.
Foxford Meals on Wheels can provide meals from Monday to Saturday at a cost of €7 per meal. To avail of this service you can contact Geraldine at 087-9040463 or 094-92-56614.
