Local notes: Foxford making early plans for parade
The U12 céilí band from Admiral Brown CCE who performed at the branch's annual celebration concert in The Moy Hotel. Second from left on the front row is Michael McHale who on the night was presented with the award for 'Branch Member of the Year'.
The organising committee of the Foxford St Patrick’s Day Parade have announced that the 2026 parade will be held on Sunday, March 15 at 4pm.
In order to get the preparations moving, a planning meeting has been arranged to take place this Wednesday, January 28 at 7.30pm in Foxford Sports and Leisure Centre.
If you would like to be involved, share ideas, lend a hand, or help shape this year’s celebrations, the organising committee would love to see you there. Everyone is welcome, and any support – big or small – would be really appreciated.
The Foxford St Patrick’s Day Parade has grown into a wonderful celebration in recent years and has attracted very large crowds to the town, so working together it’s hoped to make this yet another fantastic community event.
There’s a treat in store for lovers of traditional music on Saturday week, February 7 as Foxford gets ready to welcome the current All-Ireland senior céilí band champions, Glór na dtonn, to town. The Mayo-based band lifted the most prestigious prize in traditional Irish music at Fleadh Ceoil na hÉireann in Wexford last August and are now to perform a concert at the Brown Memorial Hall. It’s a night that is certainly not to be missed.
The concert will get underway at 9pm and for more details, contact Ollie at 087-6368834.
Many tributes were paid in the wake of the unexpected yet peaceful passing of Teresa Melia, Derrygaury, Foxford, who was laid to rest on Thursday last, January 22.
A former employee of Mayo County Council and, more recently, a wonderful colleague of the team at Foxford and District Alzheimer Trust, Teresa has been remembered for her kindness, friendlessness and helpfulness by all who knew and worked with her.
Predeceased by her parents John and Delia, her brother in-law Tony Benson and her nephew in-law Shane Brennan, Teresa is sadly missed by her brother Martin, sisters Mary, Anne and Bernie, her sister in-law Ann, brother in-law Diarmuid and by her dear friend Pat Diamond, along with her niece, nephews, cousins, extended family, friends, neighbours and by a wide circle of former and present work colleagues.
Teresa lay in repose at Clarke’s Funeral Home, Foxford last Wednesday evening and following the celebration of her funeral Mass at St Michael’s Church, burial on Thursday was in Craggagh cemetery.
May she rest in peace.
The Foxford Traditional Singing and Poetry Group will meet for its monthly gathering in Guiry’s Bar on Thursday, January 29 at 8.30pm. All welcome.
The first round fixtures have been confirmed for the Connacht FA Women’s Senior Shield, and it has thrown up a mouthwatering Moyside derby where S&F United are to travel up the road to take on Ballina Town on the weekend of February 14/15.
Congratulations to Caolan Fitzgerald, Foxford who was the lucky winner of €478 in the Moy Davitts GAA 50-50 draw. You can enter each week via the Moy Davitts GAA club app or through tickets that are available in all the usual local outlets.
Sympathy is extended to the family of the late Patricia Grogan Fleming, a native of Foxford and late of Portrane, Co Dublin who passed peacefully last week surrounded by her family at the Bon Secours Hospital. Predeceased by her parents Kathleen and Stephen, sister Tina and brother Gerald, Patricia will be sadly missed by her loving husband Frank, son David, daughter-in-law Caroline, granddaughter Mae, brothers, sisters, relatives, friends and Shep.
Patricia’s funeral Mass was celebrated in St Patrick’s Church, Donabate last Thursday with the funeral proceeding thereafter to Dardistown Crematorium.
May she rest in peace.
Admiral Brown CCÉ has named Michael McHale is its ‘Branch Member of the Year’. The announcement was made at their annual Celebration Concert held in The Moy Hotel last Friday night week.
The cup was presented by branch officers John McHugh and Tom Doherty during a wonderful evening that celebrated the achievements and successes of so many of branch members throughout the year.
Michael, a very talented whistle and flute player, won the U12 tin-whistle slow airs competition at Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann in Wexford last August, which was a fantastic achievement and very well deserved.
On the night, Michael was also presented with a Low A whistle on behalf of the branch by another of the officers, Stephen Doherty, who is also Michael’s tutor.
It was a fantastic night of entertainment, with so many talented performers taking to the stage and a great crowd in attendance.
Join a Museum curator at midday next Saturday, January 31 to learn about traditions and objects associated with St Brigid, at the National Museum of Ireland, Turlough Park. You can then enjoy some St Brigid’s cross-making workshops at 2pm or 3.30pm. Telephone 094-90-31751 or visit www.museum.ie for full booking details.
Condolences are extended to the family and friends of Mark Ruane, better known as Marcus, Toomore, and formerly of Coolagagh, Foxford, on his recent passing at St John’s Unit, Sacred Heart Hospital, Castlebar.
Marcus was predeceased by his parents Mark and Bridget and his brothers Michael, John and Patsy and his sister Mary Durkan (Bohola).
He will be dearly missed by his brother Tony, his sisters Ann and Breege, his nephews, nieces, in-laws, relatives, neighbours and many friends.
His funeral Mass was celebrated in St Michael’s Church, Foxford on Tuesday, January 20 and burial afterwards was in Craggagh cemetery.
May he rest in peace.
Congratulations to Moy Davitts footballer Natasha Gaughan who has been included in this year’s Mayo ladies senior football panel which got its 2026 LGFA National League campaign underway last weekend with an away game against Cavan in Division 2 (see sport section). The panel also includes another past pupil of St Joseph’s Secondary School in Hannah Reape and her Knockmore GAA clubmate Clodagh Keane.
Congratulations to parents Therese and Martin on the baptism of their son, Thomas James Healy, on Saturday, January 10.
An information evening is to be held today (Tuesday, January 27) for anyone who may be interesting in enrolling their child in Saints Peter and Paul NS, Straide for the year 2026/27. It will take place in the school at 6pm. You may enroll by email at info@straidens.ie or by calling 094-90-31267.
The funeral took place in Ballymany, Co Kildare last Wednesday, January 21 of Mary McGrath (née Durkan), formerly of Boherallagh, Foxford and late of Moorefield Crescent, Newbridge, Co. Kildare.
Predeceased by her husband Dessie, Mary will be sadly missed by her loving daughters Kay and Jackie, son Gerard, sons-in-law John and Alex, grandchildren, great grandchildren, sisters-in-law, extended family, neighbours and friends.
Mary was laid to rest in St Conleth’s cemetery, Newbridge.
May she rest in peace.
A fundraiser has been established for talented Foxford musician Brenda Grealis who has been diagnosed with a rare condition.
Brenda, a gifted singer and harpist, is a native of Lismorane and familiar to many across the west of Ireland. Her considerable talents have graced the weddings of many couples across the region.
Brenda been diagnosed with PERM Stiff Person Syndrome (SPS) which is an extremely rare, severe neurological disease that causes extreme muscle rigidity, painful spasms, and progressive loss of mobility. Because PERM is so rare, treatment options are limited and difficult.
The illness has taken away her ability to sing and play, ending her career and source of income, along with one of the great loves of her life, so friends of Brenda have established a GoFundMe page to help provide the support she will require, as her condition has progressed rapidly, requiring time in intensive care and prolonged hospitalisation.
“Despite multiple treatments, she has not responded and now faces complex, lifelong medical needs including a motorised wheelchair, ongoing specialist care, rehabilitation, and home modifications so she can eventually return home to her family,” states the fundraising page.
The appeal has been made to help ease the strain on Brenda’s loved ones.
“Brenda is a wife and mother of four, and this diagnosis has placed immense emotional and financial strain on her entire family as they navigate long-term care, major life adjustments and the sudden loss of income all the while ensuring Brenda is surrounded by love, dignity and stability,” added her friends.
You can donate by searching Brenda Grealis at www.gofundme.com.
An Ecumenical Prayer Service takes place in Killasser Church this Wednesday, January 18 at 7pm. All are very welcome to attend on the night.
The Achonry Pioneer dinner dance takes place in The Yeats County Inn, Curry on Friday, March 20, at 8pm. There will be a three course meal with tea/coffee and music by The Duets. Tickets are €40 per person and you contact Thomas on 087-2344338 to book your ticket.
An open invitation has been extended by St Joseph’s Secondary School to their Careers Fair that will take place at Foxford Sports and Leisure Centre this Tuesday, January 27 from 5.30pm to 8pm.
Foxford Alzheimer’s and Community Trust CLG, otherwise known as FACT Social Group, will be the beneficiary of a special evening celebrating song, memory and community which is to be held on Friday, January 30 at 7.30pm in The White House, Swinford. Come along for a lovely night of music, memories, and togetherness. All are very welcome to this heartfelt fundraising night.
The annual general meeting of Straide Women's Group will be held on Saturday, January 31 at 11am in Straide Davitt Community Hall. The meeting will include a review of last year and outline plans for 2026. New members are very welcome.
Registration of Moy Davitts GAA club for 2026 is now open. The club has some excellent packages for non-playing club members who buy the 50/50 lotto and county board tickets as well as many other options.
You should register at www.foireann.ie or through the Foireann app.
The closing date to register for 2026 is April 1. All players must be registered before returning to training.
If you experience any difficulties in registering, contact Paula via WhatsApp on 087-3226777.
