Local notes: Foxford community praised for generosity
Kathleen and John Gilboy from Attymass were at Ballina Arts Centre to see Tommy Marren's play, ‘3 Hail Mary’s’. Picture: John O'Grady
The organisers of last month’s ‘Remembrance by Candlelight’ wish to extend a heartfelt thanks to the local community for their generosity towards their recent concert which was held in St Michael’s Church, Foxford. The event raised an astonishing total of the €17,616.42 which is to be shared between two invaluable local services – Foxford and District Alzheimer's Trust and Foxford's Search and Rescue. Thank you to all who donated, attended, volunteered, or supported the events in any way. Your kindness truly makes a difference.
There was a terrifying reminder of the dangers that exist while driving when An Garda Siochana’s Mayo Roads Policing Unit made an arrest in Foxford last Thursday evening.
As part of their ongoing Road Safety Christmas Campaign, the Mayo RPU were conducting a speed checkpoint in Foxford when they detected a Heavy Goods Vehicle laden with a load weighing 30 tonnes travelling at 90km/h in a 60km/h speed zone.
On further inspection, not only was the driver uninsured, without seatbelt and his vehicle without tax or a tachograph, but the driver also tested positive for cocaine. They were subsequently arrested for drug driving and also charged with dangerous driving to appear before the courts. The truck was seized.
“Speeding at this level in a built-up area of a town puts everyone at risk,” said An Garda Siochana in a statement about the incident.
They added that the consequences of drug driving are real and urged against it.
“Drug-driving is not just illegal – it’s life-threatening. Even small amounts can seriously impair reaction times and coordination.
“If you drive under the influence, you're risking your future – and someone else's life,” concluded the statement.
The Church of Ireland, Foxford is to host a carol service in conjunction with the Foxford Brass and Reed Band this coming Sunday evening, December 21. It will commence at 5pm and everyone is most welcome to come along.
A Trad for Tots Christmas Special is to be held in the Moy Hotel, Foxford next Sunday morning, December 21, at 11am. Organised by Admiral Brown CCÉ, the event will help the little ones get further into the festive spirit with a fun-filled morning where parents and grandparents can join with the toddlers in singing along to all their Christmas favourites. To reserve a place, visit www.eventbrite.ie and search for Trad for Tots Christmas Special.
Admiral Brown CCÉ are to host a wonderful evening of music, song, dance and stories at its Christmas Special Junior Session which will be held next Monday, December 22 from 5.30pm to 7.30pm in Cruiser’s Bar, Foxford. All young musicians, singers and dancers are welcome to join in the fun but to help the organisers plan, parents or guardians are asked to confirm the number of children attending by text to 086-3999774 or 086-2787984.
S&F United’s U18 team is in cup action tonight (Tuesday, December 16) when they travel to AbbVie United Park to take on home side Westport United in Round 2 of the Connacht U18 Shield. Kick-off is at 7.30pm.
The funeral Mass was held in Cork last Friday of Chris Davy, Ballincollig, Cork and formerly of Foxford. Indeed several warm tributes were paid online by former classmates of Chris from his time spent in school both in Foxford and St Nathy’s College, Ballaghaderreen.
He passed peacefully at Cork University Hospital, after a short illness, on December 8.
Chris is sadly missed by his daughters Gillian and Orla and their mother Mary, sons-in-law Adrian and Josh, his adored grandchildren, brothers-in-law, extended family and friends, especially Denis and Mary.
His funeral Mass was celebrated at the Church of St Mary and St John, Ballincollig after which the funeral proceeded to Island Crematorium, Ringaskiddy.
May he rest in peace.
Four students at St Joseph’s Secondary School, Foxford, all of whom are members of Swinford Athletic Club, were in action at the All-Ireland Uneven Ages Cross Country Championships on Sunday, December 7. All of them were competing at U15 level and in classic cross-country fashion at the Sports Ireland Campus, conditions underfoot for 1,440 of Ireland's most talented juvenile athletes were muddy, with a distinct chill in the Dublin air as well.
Once again, Rory Gruddy proved his worth. Fighting hard and always in contention, he narrowly missed out on a top three podium medal in the U15 boys, finishing fourth behind the hugely talented schools international champion Darragh Whelan. Rory led home both the Mayo and Connacht teams to bronze medal positions, heading west with a medal tally of three.
Ruairi Reynolds, still eligible for the U15 age grade next year, joined Rory and his teammates as part of the Swinford club team, giving another great performance to follow up on his recent All-Ireland medal achievements at U14 level two weeks previous.
Ella Ginty and Addison McDonnell both ran strongly in the U15 girls 3,500m. Ella was also a scoring member of the Mayo team, narrowly missing out on a medal in the inter-county competition when finishing in an agonising fourth place.
Keith Barrett, Knockmore and John McGloin, Foxford were each the winners of €100 in the S&F United 50-50 draws held on December 1st and December 8th respectively.
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.
Join two of the region's leading choral groups for an atmospheric afternoon of Christmas carols in the exhibition galleries at the National Museum of Ireland, Turlough Park, Castlebar. These performances take place at 2pm and 3pm on Sunday, December 21 with the Mayo Male Voice Choir and the Cill Aodáin Choral Society. All are welcome. No booking required. See museum.ie for further details.
Well done to Damien Langan who won the jackpot prize of €541 in last week’s Moy Davitts GAA 50-50 draw.
Time is running out if you haven’t yet bought your tickets for Foxford National 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 outdoor facilities and equipment at Scoil an Croí Naofa. 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.
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 0879040463 or 094-92-56614.
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.
He will be joined on stage by local musicians Stephen and Kevin Doherty, David and Patrick Doocey, and by Jimmy Higgins.
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.
