Local notes: Elena's bread rises to the occasion
Ireland’s Best Junior Baker runner-up 13-year-old Elena Clarke from Foxford, with Gary Desmond, CEO of Gala Retail, and TikTok baking star Alice Kelly.
It goes without saying that Foxford is synonymous and renowned for the quality of its bread, and perhaps it’s that which has inspired one local girl to become one of the very best baker’s in the business.
At just 13-years-old, Elena Clarke has been named as runner-up in Ireland’s Best Junior Baker, a competition organised by retail giant Gala. The Foxford teenager’s handmade brown bread impressed the judges to earn her second place overall and a very welcome €500 prize.
The competition on amateur bakers from across the country to share their best home-baked creations, showcasing the talent and passion for baking that exists in homes, kitchens, and communities throughout Ireland. The final was held during a live bake-off event at Airfield Estate in Dublin, with a judging panel led by much-loved baking expert Catherine Leyden and TikTok baking star Alice Kelly. The winners announced on Ireland AM.
Joining Elena in the junior bake-off final were Bobby Sherwood from Arklow and Leah Mallinson who impressed the judges with her vanilla cupcakes, earning her the Junior Baker of the Year title and a €1,500 prize.
“Congratulations to Elena and all those who took part. Their dedication, creativity, and love for baking captured what this competition was all about. We’re proud to have played a part in bringing that to life,” commented Gary Desmond, CEO of Gala Retail.
The Admiral Brown Society wishes to thank the community of Foxford for its “incredible support” shown on the occasion of Argentina Day and the Admiral Brown Commemoration, which took place on Saturday, June 21.
The society was honoured to welcome H.E. Ana Cachaza, Argentinian Ambassador to Ireland, and her diplomatic team from the Argentinian Embassy in Dublin, along with Lieutenant Commander Patrick Doherty of the Irish Navy.
The society committee, in particular, would like to thank Fr Padraig Costello who celebrated Mass, Cllr Neil Cruise for his generous support, Cathaoirleach of Mayo County Council John O’Hara, Minister Dara Calleary, and Minister Alan Dillon who attended the commemoration, likewise Mayo Co Council’s Director of Services, Tom Gilligan.
There was significant local input too, for which the Admiral Brown Society is also extremely grateful: CCÉ Admiral Brown; Foxford RSS, Mark McDonnell and his team; Mayo County Council and Austin Meehan’s team; the Foxford Town Enhancement Scheme led by Marion Ryder; Anthony and Mary Ruane of R&R Garden Centre for the beautiful flower planting and wreaths; FSLC’s Tommy and Deirdre; Foxford Brass and Reed Band; The Moy Hotel who hosted the lunch; O’Hara’s Bakery for the delicious cakes; caterers Pizza Pod Ballina and Bridie Delahunt; church musicians Maria Lynn and Bernadette Ruddy; photographer Sean Flynn.
Everything combined into a wonderful occasion that celebrated the strong cultural and historical ties between Ireland and Argentina in a warm, inclusive, and joyful atmosphere.
The Foxford Enhancement Group is busy at its work in and around the town, with summer planting almost complete. The fruits of the labour of this dedicated group of volunteers is plain to be seen, with Foxford beautifully brightened for residents and visitors alike. Conscious that the trees on Main Street have become very overgrown, FEG has said that Mayo Co Council have confirmed they will be cut back soon. Indeed they have expressed thanks to the council for supporting their ongoing work in improving the overall look of the town, which has also been made possible because of the annual donations from Gary Smith (Foxford Pharmacy). Thanks has also been extended to Mary and Anthony from R&R Garden Centre for their assistance, not only physically with planting but with storage and free advice.
Foxford Enhancement Group has also revealed that a new picnic bench and seats are shortly to be installed.
Mass was celebrated at the Church of Christ the King, Knockmore last Friday, June 27 where the cremains were received of Marion Boyle (née Clarke). Marion, formerly of Ballina Road, Foxford and late of Surrey, England, passed peacefully on April 19 at Croydon University Hospital, London.
The beloved wife of Paul and dear mother to Ian, Sarah and Laura, Marion was predeceased by her parents Tom and Theresa and brother Tommy. She will be sadly missed by her husband, son, daughters, daughter-in-law and sons-in-law, grandchildren, and by her brothers, sisters, nieces and nephews and those who counted in her life.
Interment last Friday was in Ballinahaglish Cemetery.
May she rest in peace.
There were great celebrations at the Connacht GAA Centre of Excellence in Bekan on Sunday, June 22 as Moy Davitts’ senior ladies footballers lifted the Melissa Patterson Cup. Faced by next door neighbours Swinford-Killasser in an East Mayo derby, goals proved the difference as the Red and White ran out 5-09 to 2-09 winners, with Avadh Gaughan turning in a Player of the Match performance. The Moy Davitts team was captained by Sandra Hall who accepted the cup from Melissa’s sister Belinda.
Srath Garbh will be a hive of activity next week as the annual Moy Davitts GAA Cúl Camp takes place. A one-way traffic management system will be in place – approach the grounds from Foxford town side and leave by the Rinnaney Road. The club is hoping the weather stays fine and that all the children have a really enjoyable week.
More than €2100 has been raised through the iDonate fundraising platform towards this year’s Foxford Riverfest, with further financial support sought for the event which is taking place on August 22-24. It promises to be a wonderful weekend of entertainment and culture but does come with some considerable expense to organise by what is a volunteer committee.
Visit idonate.ie if you would like to make a donation.
The wedding took place in the Church of Mary Immaculate, Stranorlar, Co Donegal recently of Padraig Og Ó Laimhín, a native of Brook Road, and Anna Dalton from Nebraska, USA. The couple are wished many years of happiness.
Moy Davitts beat local rivals Kiltimagh 3-15 to 3-09 in Sraith Garbh last Tuesday, June 24, in their opening game of the East Mayo Minor ‘B’ football championship. They will be hoping to build on that fine start this Tuesday, July 1 when they travel travel to Charlestown Sarsfields in the same competition. Throw-in at Fr O’Hara Park is at 7pm.
This Wednesday, July 2, Moy Davitts travel to play Westport in Group 1 of the Mayo GAA U12 Summer League.
Meanwhile, last Thursday evening, Moy Davitts were on the end of a 7-7 to 1-9 defeat at home to Aghamore in the East Mayo U16 ‘B’ football championship. The team’s next game in the group stage is this Thursday, July 3 when they travel to play Kiltimagh. Throw-in is at 7pm.
On Friday evening, July 4, Moy Davitts play their next game in Group 1 of the County Premier Junior ‘A’ football championship when Charlestown Sarsfields visit Foxford for a game that gets underway at 7pm.
A number of cemetery masses are to celebrated local in the coming weeks. Friday, July 4 – Teampall Mhaoil, Chuchpark at 7pm; Friday, August 1 – St Martin’s, Glanduff at 7pm; Saturday, August 2 – Toomore at 6pm; Sunday, August 3 – Craggagh at 11am; Sunday, August 3 – Straide Cemetery at 11am.
The Heritage Council has awarded a grant of €6,447 to the Michael Davitt Museum in Straide under its ‘Vital Conservation’ programme.
The museum is in possession of an important collection of artefacts relating to Michael Davitt in Ireland, with many items in the collection gifted by Davitt’s descendants and dating back over a century. The funding will support the conservation of these delicate and historically significant artefacts which without timely intervention, would risk irreparable deterioration. Professional assessment will help to preserve the collection for generations to come.
The Moy Davitts GAA 50-50 draw winner last week was Kathleen Moore who scooped a jackpot prize of €575. Tickets are available by playing on the club app or by purchasing from the usual retail outlets.
It was a case of double 14s last week as both the girls and boys under-14 teams picked up victories. In Division 2A Girls, Amber Gilnagh was in red hot form when bagging all five goals in a 5-3 win away to Manulla. In Division 1 Boys, there was a goal apiece by Heath Byrne, Oscar McHugh and Conor Ruddy in what ended as a 3-2 win at home to Kiltimagh/Knock United.
Meanwhile, no fewer than seven players featured in their first ever competitive game for S&F United last week when the U12 girls took on Ballina Town ‘B’ at Green Road. Of the eleven players used, ten are still underage next season, with several of those actually still under-10, so they performed exceptionally well in what ended as a 5-3 win for the visitors. Lucy Durkan scored twice with the other supplied by Nina Lavarde.
S&F United’s U11 boys enjoyed a thumping 6-0 derby win against Conn Rangers last week with the goals provided by the trio of Ferdia McGreal, William Hughes and Hunter Byrne. The U13 Division 4A boys ended their season with a fine 5-3 victory in Westport last week.
Elsewhere, the senior men’s team enjoyed a positive week when a goal from Aidan Gaughan helped them share the spoils with Ballyheane ‘B’ in the Castlecourt Hotel Mayo Premier Division while they also booked their place in the semi-finals of the Mayo Premier Cup, after goals from Conor Devaney and Paul Moran helped them past Fahy Rovers.
Not to be outdone, S&F’s senior women’s team are through to the next round of the McHale Agri Forest & Garden Shield Cup after a resounding 9-0 win against Glenhest Rovers. Fiona Doherty smashed home five of the goals while there was a brace by Fiona Roache and one apiece from Rebecca Conlon and Stephanie Loughney.
Congratulations to the trio of most recent winners in the S&F United 50-50 draw. Jamie Coleman, Foxford, Sylvia Neary, Foxford and Eoghan Jordan, Straide were each recipients of €100.
The Moy Davitts Golf Classic returns to Ballina Golf Club on Saturday, August 9. A team of four will cost €160 to enter and there will be major prizes for all winners. Ballina Golf Club is now accepting entries. Contact 096-21050.
