Local notes: Floods, fiddles and flashing lights
Enjoying the Memories Charity Ball held in aid of the Foxford Alzheimer's and Community Trust at the Great National Hotel, Ballina were staff members, from left: Kieran King, Activities Support Worker; Linda Fahy, Social Activities Supervisor; Frances Casey-Maloney, Founder of the Trust; Declan Howley, FACT Social Club Manager; Edyta Radek, Janice Ferguson, Administrator and Eileen Cosgrave, Activities Support Worker. Picture: John O’Connor
The Office of Public Works is finalising a Scheme Viability Review for Foxford to determine whether it is feasible to progress a major flood relief scheme or if other flooding mitigation measures should be progressed, Minister of State Dara Calleary TD has confirmed.
Minister Calleary raised the matter in the Dáil last week where he outlined the current situation.
“In 2018, the Office of Public Works (OPW) completed the Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management (CFRAM) Programme – Ireland’s largest study of flood risk. This studied the flood risk for two-thirds of the population against their risk of flooding from rivers and the sea. An output of the CFRAM Programme, the OPW’s Flood Risk Management Plans (FRMPs) provide the evidence for a proactive approach for designing and constructing flood relief schemes for the most at-risk communities.
“On foot of the evidence in the FRMP, the OPW is finalising a Scheme Viability Review (SVR) for Foxford to determine whether it is feasible to progress a major flood relief scheme for this community or if other flooding mitigation measures should be progressed.
“I will continue to maintain regular contact with the OPW and the Department as we seek to advance the matter. It is extremely urgent that mitigation measures are undertaken and I am determined to see them move to construction” he said.
Last month’s first-ever Memories Charity Ball in aid of the Foxford Alzheimer's and Community Trust was an outstanding success.
Taking place at the Great National Hotel on October 28, the event was to raise awareness for people living with dementia and struggling with rural isolation in Co Mayo. The organisers, FACT, wish to thank all those who attended on the night and everyone who donated and supported us in their own way, in particular their sponsors: A&G Music Productions, O'Hara's Bakery, Nigel Reape Printing, Pat Corcoran Supplies, Archers Ballina, Hogan's Bar, Audio Works, Corcoran Fuels, Toymaster, McKane’s Pharmacy, Lynn Academy Of Music, Foxford Woollen Mills, Carr’s Daybreak Ballina, Michael Maye Wood Turner Swinford, Moy Hotel Foxford, Dara Calleary TD, Corner House Café Ballina and Imprint Ballina.
In addition, FACT also extends its thanks to the Ballina Costume Company and the Great National Hotel and its amazing team for the support, kindness and patience.
Congratulations and good luck to local fiddle maestro David Doocey who together with renowned piper Cillian Vallely officially released their brilliant new album last Thursday.
Fresh from an extensive tour of the United States that included dates on East and West coasts, from Boston and Baltimore, from Seattle and San Francisco and many points in between, David’s latest album is called ‘The Yew and the Orchard’ and also features his brother Patrick on guitar.
The album was recorded and mixed in the Marguerite Studios (Dublin) of renowned bassist Trevor Hutchinson.
The cover is a print of ‘A Fiddle and Pipe Tune’, a beautiful painting by Cillian’s father.
The Yew and the Orchard can be purchased at www.daviddoocey.com.
Be sure to spread the good news that Santa Claus has confirmed he will be calling to visit the boys and girls of Foxford at this year’s Craft Fair, which takes place on Saturday and Sunday, December 2/3 at the Foxford Sports and Leisure Centre. Santa is being hosted by the Foxford Brass and Reed Band and will be available to meet the children from 12pm to 4pm both days.
Entry is €10 per child with family rates available also.
All eyes will be on the AFLW Awards next Monday (November 27) to see if Moy Davitts LGFA footballer Niamh Kelly can claim her place in history as only the second-ever Irishwoman to pick up an All-Australian prize. After a number of years in the colours of West Coast Eagles, Niamh transferred to the Adelaide Crows this season and enjoyed a sensational campaign with her team finishing top of the table at the end of the home-and-away programme. They are currently involved in the AFLW’s knock-out stages.
Niamh, who is 28 and who starred in the colours of Mayo for many years, played every game for Adelaide this season, averaging almost 19 disposals per game and kicking six goals.
The Bohola native is one of 42 nominations for an All-Australian award with the panel due to be whittled down to its final selection of 21 players on Monday.
In 2022, fellow Mayo woman Cora Staunton became the first and, to date, only Irish player to become an All-Australian winner.
The annual general meeting of Moy Davitts LGFA will be held at the Foxford Sports and Leisure Centre on Friday, December 1 at 7pm. All are welcome to attend.
A wonderfully festive evening is guaranteed for anyone who attends St Michael’s Church on Sunday, December 10 as the Foxford Brass and Reed Band performs its annual Christmas concert. Joining the band this year will be traditional musicians from CCÉ Admiral Brown with whom they collaborated so brilliantly at last month’s Foxford Traditional Weekend.
Come along to hear all the Christmas favourites. Admission is free on the night but all donations will be gratefully accepted. The concert gets underway at 6pm.
CCÉ Admiral Brown are to hold their monthly session for junior musicians in Cruiser’s next Sunday, November 26 from 3pm to 5pm. Everyone is welcome to come and enjoy an afternoon of music, song and dance. In addition, the Christmas junior session has been confirmed as taking place on Sunday, December 17, also from 3pm to 5pm.
Foxford’s own Catherine Coleman is to make her stage debut next month when appearing at the Castleconnor One Act on Saturday and Sunday, December 8/9 at Castleconnor Community Centre. Two nights of great comedy are assured. Curtain is up at 8pm on both evenings.
A pair of students from St Joseph’s Secondary School, Foxford had a weekend to remember when they travelled to Liverpool with the Sligo Rovers U17 team that played Everton FC’s U18 side on Saturday, November 11. Emma Walsh and Kasey Ruane were part of the Sligo side that held the hosts to a 3-3 draw at Finch Farm, the training centre of Everton FC.
After the game, they met with Everton and Irish international players Megan Campbell, Courtney Brosnan and Heather Payne.
Emma and Kasey’s schoolmate Amber Hardy has also recently broken into the Sligo Rovers senior women’s team.
The baptism took place at St Michael’s Church, Foxford on Saturday, November 11 of Ada Mary Neary, Glanduff, daughter of Helen and Alan. Congratulations to all.
There’ll be noise and colour aplenty in Foxford on the evening of Sunday, December 10 as Moy Davitts LGFA stages its annual Christmas Vehicle Run which, the organisers promise, will be bigger and better than ever before. Tractors, trucks, cars and bikes are all welcome to take part with the only catch being that all entrants must decorate their vehicle and make it shine as brightly as possible.
Registration (€20) is at Foxford Sports and Leisure Centre from 5.30pm with the vehicle run getting underway at 7pm. A kiddies tractor run will take place in between at 6pm. There will be raffle prizes on the night.
Moy Davitts have made a flying start to this year’s Mayo U21 ‘A’ football championship, winning both of their group games against North Mayo’s ‘big two’, Ballina Stephenites and Knockmore, to advance to the knock-out stages. They beat the Stephenites by nine points and improved on that when having thirteen points to spare over Knockmore last Sunday week.
Moy Davitts are on the hunt for a new manager of the intermediate football team. All interested parties should submit their application by email to the club secretary no later than 5pm this Wednesday, November 22 at secretary.moydavitts.mayo@gaa.ie.
Meanwhile, the AGM of Bohola Moy Davitts GAA Club is to be held on Sunday, November 26 at 5pm in Straide Hall. A large attendance is hoped for as to make the club successful every voice counts.
A jackpot of €330 was won by Vincent Moylett, Shanwar in this week’s 50/50 draw in aid of Moy Davitts GAA Club. Happy spending. The club appreciates everyone who supports their lotto. Remember, if you're not in you can't win!
An exciting new development for players, members and supporters of Moy Davitts GAA Club has materialised with a new club App available for download to your device from the App store where you will receive instant club updates in the palm of your hand.
The App will also allow for the payment of club registration fees, to enter the 50/50 weekly draw or purchase an annual 50/50 ticket, contribute to club fundraisers and lots more.
For more information or anyone with difficulty in downloading the function can contact Annette at 087-6781500.
Work is currently in progress on the construction of a new gym for Moy Davitts GAA Club. The foundation is complete and the gym structure is planned to be erected on December 20. All the gym equipment and flooring will be installed between January 8 and 11, 2024 with opening for club members very soon afterwards. The club wishes to thank everyone who has helped make this project possible.
With Foxford among the areas badly affected by the pyrite and mica defective concrete blocks scandal, an urgent appeal has been made for anyone who may have an available property, for example a holiday home or vacant house, to rent to those people whose homes have been affected.
Caroline Wilson, Mayo North East Partnership, Community Facilitator is reaching out to anyone who may have such a property in Foxford, or indeed other impacted areas in Ballina, Ballycastle, Belmullet, Crossmolina, Killala, Westport and surrounding areas, to contact her at 087-4828261 or email carolinewilson@mayonortheast.com.
Caroline Wilson is also holding clinics every second Monday in Foxford from 10am until 1pm for people impacted by the Defective Concrete Blocks problem.
Foxford’s Meals on Wheels service can, at a cost of €5 per meal, provide meals from Monday to Saturday. If you would like to avail of the service contact Geraldine at 087-9040463 or 094-90-40463.
