Local notes: Countdown to Craft Fair
At the celebratory function to mark the 125th anniversary of the founding of P. O'Connor & Son Solicitors in Belleek Castle, Ballina were William and Colleen O'Connor. Picture: John O'Grady
Another Foxford Craft Fair is nigh upon us, with the popular annual event set to take place next weekend, Friday to Sunday, December 5-7 at Foxford Sports and Leisure Centre. Over 50 stalls of creativity are confirmed and the organisers invite you to come and browse at your own pace, meet local makers and enjoy a festive atmosphere like no other. The opening times are 12pm to 7pm on Friday, 10am to 6pm on Saturday and 12pm to 6pm on Sunday. Entry is free and so is the parking!
The Parents Association at Scoil an Croí Naofa, Foxford have launched the school’s first ever online Christmas raffle. The proceeds will be used to raise vital funds for the school and to support essential upgrades to the school’s outdoor facilities and equipment. In total, there are seventeen fantastic prizes up for grabs and the draw will be held in the school on Wednesday, December 17.
Tickets are available to purchase online by logging onto at www.idonate.ie and searching for Foxford National School raffle. It would be appreciated if you could share the link with friends and family also.
A number of local athletes performed exceptionally well at the All-Ireland Even Ages Cross Country Championships which were held at the Templemore Sports Complex in Derry. Rory Gruddy, Ruairi Reynolds, Darragh O’Brien and Ella Ginty, all of whom are pupils at St Joseph’s Secondary School in Foxford and who are members of Swinford AC, performed very well and represented themselves and their club with distinction.
For Rory Gruddy in particular, it was a day to remember as he finished seventh out of a field of 180 runners in the U16 Boys 4,000m, when still underage for the same event next year. His placing means he will also race for Ireland at the U17 Celtic Cross Country and the Home Nations Cross Country in Parliament Hill, London next February. It’s not his first international call-up however, having already represented his country earlier this year.
Darragh O’Brien also performed very well in the same race.
Ruairi Reynolds ran the 3,000m distance in the U14 Boys and helped the Mayo county team win silver, finishing just behind Dublin. Ruairi was the fourth scorer for Mayo having crossed the line in 34th position, again in a field of over 180 runners.
Also competing at U14 level in the 3,000m for girls was Ella Ginty who can also be very proud of her performance against the very best runners in the country.
Confirmation has been received from the North Pole that Santa Claus will be making his sixth consecutive ‘Straide Stopover’, with bookings now officially open for the two-day event on Sunday and Monday, December 14-15. As always, Santa will be assisted by his Straide Liason Elves.
You can book your slot at www.straidecommunity.com/santa.
A minimum donation of €20 per car has been set which will be payable at the gate on arrival. All funds raised are used to pay for the upkeep and maintenance of the Hall, paying off the debt incurred in renovating the Hall, and Hall utilities. Your continued support is hugely appreciated.
Louisburgh Voices and young musicians from Louisburgh Music School will be performing a Christmas concert at the Michael Davitt Museum in Straide on Wednesday, December 10 at 7pm.
The Michael Davitt Museum, through its exhibits and guided tours, ensures that visitors of all ages can rediscover Davitt’s legacy for themselves. Having played a pioneering role in the evolution of the Irish state, as founder of the National Land League and campaigner for social justice, the concert will pay tribute to Michael Davitt’s formative role in championing Irish culture at home and abroad, by including a beautiful of setting of ‘Suantraí ár Slánaitheora’ for solo soprano and choir, along with the traditional carol ‘Don Oíche úd i mBeithil’ and the well-known ‘Wexford Carol’.
Carols from Spain, Germany and the Czech Republic (‘Gaudete’) are also on the programme, together with some festive favourites, like ’White Christmas’, ‘Walking in the Air’ and ’Winter Wonderland’.
Alongside Louisburgh Voices, the concert will include performances by young musicians from Louisburgh Music School.
Louisburgh Voices was established by Pauline Graham and Michael Quinn in 2018. The choir has performed in Ballina (as part of the Mary Robinson Climate Conference), Castlebar (as part of the Mayo Choral Festival), Louisburgh, and Ballintubber Abbey. Last year, Louisburgh Voices performed a Medieval Christmas programme in Holy Trinity Church, Westport.
Admission is free but donations will be accepted at the door in aid of the Michael Davitt Museum.
Parents of children who attend Scoil an Croí Naofa, Foxford are reminded that a limited number of Christmas Annuals are available to buy from the school office. They are priced at €3 apiece. The Carnival annual is aimed towards Junior and Senior Infants, the Fairground annual is for 1st and 2nd Class students, the Parade annual is for 3rd and 4th Class while 5th and 6th Class students cane avail of the Festival annual.
Both the senior and U17 girls soccer teams from St Joseph’s Secondary School, Foxford were in action last week and unfortunately, both suffered defeats. The senior team were beaten 5-2 by Dunmore Community School, with their goals scored by Emily Coleman and Sadhbh Staunton. It was a poignant occasion for the Leaving Cert members of the team for whom it was their last soccer match in the school colours, having enjoyed some tremendous success along the way.
The U17 team were beaten 4-1 by St Clare’s, Manorhamilton and again Emily Coleman was on the scoresheet.
Well done to S&F United stalwart Pat Reid from Straide who was last week’s winner of the club’s weekly 50-50 draw. Pat won a jackpot of €150.
Moy Davitts brothers Cian and Colm McHale were part of the University of Limerick panel that made history last Wednesday night by becoming the first team from the university to win the Higher Education Senior Football League Division 1 league title. Cian was one of six Mayo players on the starting team and contributed three points in the 2-20 to 2-16 win in the final against University of Galway.
Moy Davitts GAA Club will he holding an event in the New Year where its members will be able to recycle their outgrown and old sports gear and boots. Anyone who has have gear and boots in the house that they are thinking of getting rid of, the club is asking that you hold on to them and they will take them off your hands early in 2026. Further details will be circulated in advance.
Pupils at Scoil an Croí Naofa, Foxford who are preparing to celebrate the Sacrament of Confirmation next March are invited to enrol for the Sacrament at the 11am Mass in St Michael’s Church, Foxford next Sunday, December 7.
A fundraising 25 card game will take place at the Davitt Community Hall, Straide this Friday, December 5 in aid of Mayo Cancer Support and Straide Community Development Group. The event is being organised by Straide Women's Group and the support of all card players would be greatly appreciated.
Tickets are on sale for the concert that will take place in The Moy Hotel on Saturday, December 27 where top Irish traditional singer Sean Keane will perform with a five piece band in what is serving as a fundraiser for the 2026 Foxford Traditional Weekend.
Not only will you be supporting the festival but you’ll be treated to a fantastic evening of music.
To purchase tickets, visit www.foxfordtraditionalweekend.com.
The Moy Davitts LGFA Christmas Table Quiz will be held in Cruiser’s Bar, Foxford on Sunday, December 14 at 5pm.
There will be plenty of prizes up for grabs and also a raffle on the evening and you are also encouraged to wear your best Christmas jumpers or outfits as there will be a prize for the best one! Teas and coffees will be provided on the evening. Entry is €20 per table.
Moy Davitts GAA is appealing to its members and also to the wider general public, that they might consider donating their receipts from the return of plastic bottles to the Re-Turn bin in McGloin’s Gala in Foxford, to the Moy Davitts GAA account in the shop. All funds raised will go towards the club providing refreshments for the many home and host games that take place during the summer months.
