Local Notes: Latest news from Foxford
Pictured at Foxford RiverFest was Frankie Devaney with his son Eoin and grandchildren Finley and Aoife. Picture: John O'Grady
The unveiling of a commemorative plaque to honour Dr Francis Ferran TD will take place next Saturday, September 7. Dr Ferran was the dispensary doctor in Foxford from 1912 and was hugely involved in the War of Independence and the Civil War.
A remembrance mass will take place at 2pm in St Michael’s Church, Foxford next Saturday followed by the plaque unveiling at Foxford Dispensary at 3pm.
The events have been organised by the Dr Ferran Foxford Historical Association which was established in September 2023 to honour the memory and legacy of a dedicated physician, community leader and freedom fighter who made a lasting impact on Foxford and beyond.
A native of Magherafelt, Co Derry, Dr Ferran studied medicine at the former Royal University of Ireland, Belfast and it was in 1911, shortly after marrying, that the 34-year-old Francis was appointed Dispensary Medical Officer in Foxford. He would go on to serve the community for 12 years – but in more ways than just medical care.
Dr Ferran quickly became engaged in the political struggles of the time, playing an active role in the Foxford Battalion of the East Mayo Brigade. As the Senior Medical Brigade Officer, Dr Ferran tended to the wounded in safe houses, hiding places and ambush sites, often at great personal risk. His commitment to the cause of Irish freedom led to multiple arrests and his eventual imprisonment without trial at the Curragh Camp.
In 1921 and 1922, Dr Ferran was elected to Dáil Éireann, where he continued his unwavering dedication to the cause of freedom. Tragically, Francis died on June 10, 1923, while imprisoned. He was laid to rest in the Republican plot in Glasnevin Cemetery, Dublin. Although Ferran Terrace in Ballina is named in his honour, his legacy had been largely forgotten in Foxford... hence next weekend’s commemorations.
All are welcome to attend.
After all the recent excitement and organisation of Foxford RiverFest, attention will swiftly turn towards Foxford’s next big festival which is to be held from Thursday, October 16 to Sunday, October 24. The Foxford Traditional Weekend has quickly grown into an immensely popular event among traditional music enthusiasts and this year’s event promises to be another exceptional coming together of some of the very best musicians, singers and dancers from all over the country.
Galway singer Don Stiffe and the renowned Hernon Family have already been confirmed as part of the line up with further acts to be announced in the coming weeks.
There will be concerts, workshops and master classes along with the ever-popular Rambling House as well as some special events for tots. Further details will be announced in the coming weeks.
FACT Social Club is an independent community-based service in Foxford that supports people living with Dementia or in rural isolation. The club is open Mondays to Friday and provides social interaction, activities and much more in a safe and supported environment. If you would like more information on the services offered, you can contact them at factsocialclub1@gmail.com or telephone 094-92-56662.
Supporters who travelled to St Tiernan’s Park in Crossmolina last Saturday afternoon were treated to an absolute classic game of football as Moy Davitts booked their place in the quarter-finals of the Mayo Intermediate Football Championship in sensational style. Trailing the home side by nine points early in the second-half, in a 20-minute period they caused a 17 points swing to lead by eight points with 55-minutes played. At full-time they held a 5-13 to 2-17 advantage on the scoreboard and justified their tag as one of the favourites to win the championship outright this year.
Things didn’t look all that promising when they trailed 1-11 to 0-8 at half-time and even less so when Crossmolina scored a goal four minutes into the second-half, but the response from Moy Davitts was spectacular. Two goals from Sean Kelly and one apiece by Cathal Clarke, Conor Reid and Cian McHale turned the game on its head and leaves the team sitting pretty heading into their final group game against Lahardane on the weekend after next. See Game On for a full match report.
Moy Davitts: Chris McGlynn; Jack Dunleavy, Oisin McHugh, Fiachra Cruise; Neil Murphy, Colm McHale (0-1), Cathal Clarke (1-1); Conor Reid (1-2), Padraig Ruane (0-1); Cian McHale (1-7, 5f), Alan Bourke, Stephen Clarke; Brian Heneghan, Anthony Jordan (0-1), Sean Kelly (2-0). Subs: Jamie Clarke, Oisin Quinn and Liam Byrne (for Sean Kelly. Subs: Jamie Clarke, Oisin Quinn and Liam Byrne (for Bourke, Cruise and Clarke ht), Brian Reape (for Heneghan 47), John Gilmore (for C Clarke 59).
There were mixed fortunes for the underage teams of Moy Davitts GAA Club in the county championships last week.
The under-14s slipped to an agonising one point defeat to St Jarlath’s (Ballyhaunis and Eastern Gaels) in the semi-final of the Homeland ‘C’ Championship Shield. It finished 2-9 to 1-11 in favour of the visitors to Foxford.
Home advantage served the under-16 team much better however, as they came through their Homeland ‘D’ Championship semi-final clash with Bonniconlon last Thursday evening, beating their near neighbours by 1-12 to 0-9. That has secured the team a trip to Hastings Insurance MacHale Park in Castlebar for the U16D Cup final, which will take place this Thursday, September 5 at 6.30pm. The opposition are Louisburgh and the players and management are wished every good wish in their attempt to bring the county title home to Sraith Garbh.
The game will form part of a double-header with the U16C Cup final which sees neighbours Swinford take on The Neale at 8pm.
Congratulations to Michael Kelly who was last week’s winner of the Moy Davitts GAA 50/50 draw. He collected a jackpot prize of €521.
Seamus Sean Gilmartin, son of Bríd and Adrian, Assumpta Place, was welcomed to the Christian community when his baptism was held on Saturday, August 24 at St Michael’s Church, Foxford. Congratulations to all.
An exciting opportunity is presenting itself for any young children in the locality who may be interested in taking up the martial art of karate. The Mayo Karate Academy has announced that it is to offer a free two-week trial to newcomers, with the first class to take place at Foxford Sports and Leisure Centre at 6pm on Tuesday, September 10. The academy is enrolling children from 5 years and over. If the date or venue does not suit, there will also be an introductory class at the Sheridan Memorial Community Centre, Bohola on Wednesday, September 11 at 6pm.
The countdown is on to Foxford Salmon Anglers’ final fishing competition of the season which will be the Waterkeepers Trophy, to be held on Saturday, September 28. Contrary to last week’s notes, the competitions that had been scheduled to take place in conjunction with Foxford RiverFest were ultimately cancelled on account of the poor weather and river conditions.
There were 27 salmon reported caught by Foxford Salmon Anglers for the week-ending Sunday, August 25, with some of those released. But it’s hoped the numbers will increase between now and the end of the season given the improved weather of the past week.
Two goals from Cian Fahy and one apiece by Sean Reid and Cian Warde saw S&F United secure a 4-2 win at Green Road against Snugboro United in the Helen Johnson Mayo U18 Division 2 League last Monday, August 26. The news wasn’t as good however, for S&F United’s under-16 team as their long trip to play Achill Rovers in Mayo League Division 2B ended in a 3-2 defeat. United’s goals were scored by James Duffy and Leo Lavarde.
There was a clean sheet for S&F’s under-12 boys who entertained Ballinrobe Town at Green Road on Friday evening, as a pair of goals by Oisin McHale and one apiece by Heath Byrne and Eoghan Jordan helped them to a 4-0 victory.
S&F United’s men’s team ended their league campaign with a 6-2 defeat away to Glenhest Rovers who secured the Castlecourt Hotel Premier Division title in the process. However, after a difficult season, United had won their three previous matches, against Kilmore, Kiltimagh/Knock United ‘B’ and Ballyheane ‘B’, to avoid relegation. The team’s attention now turns to the FAI Junior Cup (Mayo, Roscommon DL and Sligo/Leitrim DSL region) and a home game against St John’s Athletic. That game will be played on Sunday, September 22.
Congratulations to Sarah Canning from Straide who was the winner of €100 in last week’s S&F United 50/50 draw. Tickets are available from all the usual outlets and at smartlotto.ie.
There was a seven-goal thriller in last Thursday evening’s derby clash in Sraith Garbh where Moy Davitts got the better of Swinford-Killaser in the opening round of the Mayo LGFA U16 Championship. It finished 5-12 to 2-10 in favour of the Red and White.
Foxford Meals on Wheels Service are looking for a person to help out in the preparation of dinners in their kitchen five mornings per week. In addition to food preparation, successful applicants will be required to carry out cleaning duties in the kitchen area. Email applications to socialservicesfoxford@gmail.com.
Moy Davitts GAA Club provided a guard of honour at the removal of clubman Thomas Mullahy from the Sheridan Memorial Community Centre to the Church of the Immaculate Conception and St Joseph, Bohola, on Friday evening. Thomas, from Barleyhill, passed peacefully at Blackrocks Nursing home, Foxford last week surrounded by his loving family. He was well-known for being heavily involved in the workings of Moy Davitts GAA in years gone by, particularly at underage level where he is fondly remembered for carting car loads of young players around the county for games.
Predeceased by his wife Kathleen, son Nigel, brothers Denis and Martin, sisters Kitty, Sally, Mary, Winnie, Bridie, Josie and Teresa, Thomas is deeply regretted by his sons Garry, Denis, Tommy, Brendan and Darran, daughter Linda, sister Elizabeth, sister-in-law Josie, son-in-law, daughters-in-law, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, neighbours, and friends.
Following Saturday’s funeral mass, burial was in St Joseph’s Cemetery, Bohola.
May his gentle soul rest in peace.
The Davitt Community Hall in Straide has been running its Sunday Night Mini Ceili for almost two months now and is proving very enjoyable and very popular. It is to continue every Sunday night, getting underway at 8.30pm, and not only is there set dancing but waltzes and jives as well. Refreshments are served and admission is €8. All are very welcome to attend.
