Local notes: Laura launches new exhibition
St Peter and Paul National School in Straide has received a quick cash injection of €1000 to invest in new technology thanks to the RISE Community Fund supported by National Broadband Ireland (NBI). At the announcement were, standing from left: Joe Lavin (Chief Commercial Officer, NBI), Breege Staunton (teacher), Sandra Dinan (Senior PR and Stakeholder Engagement Manager, NBI), school principal, Caithriona Murrihy, David Mulligan (ATU Sligo) and Tara Collins (Chief Marketing Officer, NBI). Front, from left: Alex Moloney, Killian Tighe, Sophia Moloney and Chloe Hughes. Picture by Dillon Photography
Best wishes are extended to local portrait artist Laura Hennigan, whose opening night of her solo art exhibition takes place at Ballina Library this coming Friday, June 6 from 6.30pm to 8pm. All are welcome to attend.
Beautiful pieces will be exhibited with a selection of the works being for sale. The exhibition will run until the end of June and is open to the public.
Foxford was a hive of activity on Tuesday evening last, May 27, as the town hosted the third race in the 2025 EBS Mayo AC 5k Series.
The runners, of which there were almost 200, were greeted with cooler conditions compared to the two previous race nights, enjoying a light breeze and a comfortable temperature of 12 degrees on what was a perfect evening for running.
The race featured a single lap course that is primarily flat, beginning on the Swinford Road, and is often hailed by participants as a fast route.
There was an excellent turnout with a vibrant mix of club runners and individual athletes. Each participant was focused on achieving their personal goals, pushing themselves to deliver improved performances.
The race finished at the Foxford Sports and Leisure Centre end of the Admiral Brown promenade, where runners made an exhilarating sprint to the timing mat located under the Mayo AC Series arch.
The top three finishers in the Foxford 5k were: 1, David Hickey, Westport AC, 16:36; 2, Sean O’Brien, Westport AC, 16:56; 3, Michael Rocke, Mayo AC, 17:04. Hickey had finished fourth the previous year and O’Brien sixth. Following Michael Rocke’s super run, Mayo AC's next finishers were Tadgh Hanrahan (5th in 17:34), Darren Flanagan (6th in 17:47) and Thomas Reilly (10th in 17:48).
In the women's category, the prizes were won by: 1, Hillary Hughes, Westport AC, 18:37; 2, Jo Hughes, Mayo AC, 19:20; 3, Eimear Fitzmaurice, Mayo AC, 19:57. Hilary had run 13 seconds quicker in 2024 yet only finished second on that occasion, while Mayo AC’s Eimear Fitzmaurice has improved with each race of the series, delivering her first sub 20 time so far. The next Mayo AC women to cross the line were Ruth Carney (6th in 21:04), Elaine Lynch (7th in 21:05), and Una Mayock (7th in 21:05).
Well done to the Foxford 5k organising team, their families, friends and a number of local volunteers, who put on a great event.
Moy Davitts GAA has been selected to participate in Phase 3 of the Green Clubs Programme which will run until November 2026. The club must implement simple and effective sustainability actions under the following five themes: Energy, Water, Waste, Biodiversity, and Travel and Transport. It is recommended that participating clubs complete a minimum of two actions from two separate themes.
Moy Davitts are currently looking at various projects which it could undertake as part of the programme and would love to hear ideas from club members. If you are interested in getting involved in the programme contact club secretary Bernie Ryder (secretary.moydavitts.mayo@gaa.ie) who will explain what is involved. New committee members welcome.
Foxford Sports and Leisure Centre is the place to be this Saturday, June 7 as Cruinniú na nÓg promises a morning and afternoon of sesiún, craic and céilí. It’s the third year that Foxford has hosted this fun celebration of music, song and dance for the youth of the community.
Trad for Tots will take place for 0 to 5 year olds from 10am to 10.45am. There will be ceol and céilí for over 5s from 11am to 12.30pm, and from 12.30pm to 1.30pm, there will be a seisiún for over 5s also.
Everyone is invited to come along and join in a great day’s entertainment. Spread the word and bring your instruments.
The event is part of Creative Ireland’s National Cruinniú na nÓg initiative.
Also taking place as part of Cruinniú na nÓg next Saturday, June 7, is an exciting event involving the New Stage Youth Theatre Group in Foxford. You can join them at the Admiral Brown Hall for workshops in acting and puppet making, hosted by the Youth Theatre facilitator Mary Ellen Doran. It will be a day filled with creativity, imagination, and fun. The times are as follows: 2pm to 3.30pm for 5-8 year olds, and 4pm to 5.30pm for 9-12 year olds. Booking is required as places will be limited. Contact Mary Ellen on 087-7929138.
Many tributes were paid following the passing of one of Foxford’s oldest and best known residents, Harry Neill, on Tuesday last, May 27.
A native of Main Street, Harry had resided in more recent times at Abbey Breaffy Nursing Home and died peacefully with his family around him, under the care of the wonderful staff of Mayo University Hospital.
Harry has been remembered as a “true gentleman of Foxford” and a “great character of the town”, and also as someone who was a “huge part of the fishing fraternity” on the River Moy. Harry’s work in helping preserve the waters of the Moy has been acknowledged since his passing and he was also feted as “a man who had a word for everyone” and who was well respected throughout the community of Foxford.
Pre-deceased by his brothers Ivan and Robert and his sister Ruth, Harry is deeply regretted by his nieces Ramona and Lavinia, nephew Reuben, sister in-law Netta, grandnieces, grandnephews, cousins and extended family.
He lay in repose last Friday at Clarke’s Funeral Home following which his funeral service was held in Foxford Church of Ireland. Interment was in Craggagh Cemetery.
May he rest in peace.
The death has taken place in Reddish, Stockport, UK of Joe McNulty, a native of Foxford. Brother to Clair, Pauline, Carmel and John, he died peacefully at his home on Wednesday, May 14.
A loving husband to Margaret, treasured and devoted father to Mary and Martin and cherished and adored grandad to Caitlin, Molly, Georgia and Lara, Joe is lovingly remembered by his son-in-law Jason and Emma, fiancée of Martin, and deeply missed and loved by his sisters and brother, together with the extended McNulty and Conneely families.
He was predeceased by his beloved parents Walter and Winifred and sister Mary.
Joe’s funeral Mass will take place at St Joseph’s Church, Reddish on Thursday, June 12 at 11am followed by interment at Mill Lane Cemetery, Cheadle.
May he rest in peace.
The margins couldn’t have been much finer as Moy Davitts both won and lost county finals by one goal margins last week.
On Thursday night last, there were great celebrations as Moy Davitts won the Division 4 League Shield thanks to a 3-14 to 2-14 win away to Aghamore, in what was an excellent performance. However, two evenings previous, on Tuesday, May 27, there was heartache for Moy Davitts’ under-18 footballers, as they ended up on the thin end of a 3-15 to 2-15 scoreline against Ballintubber in the County MFL Division 4 final. They trailed by 2-8 to 0-7 at half-time and despite playing some excellent football in the second-half, ultimately paid the price for the concession of the second goal shortly before half-time.
The under-14 ladies footballers of Moy Davitts also have a county final to look forward to following last week’s 1-11 to 0-11 semi-final win against Westport ‘B’.
Congratulations to Michael McHale who won €602 in last week’s Moy Davitts GAA 50-50 draw. Congratulations are also in order for another Moy Davitts member, Sarah Ruane, who claimed the €418 jackpot prize in the Swinford GAA 50/50 draw.
Straide National School is in the throes of preparing its brand new Community pre-School, Cnoc na nÓg, and ahead of its official opening it has made an open call for assistance from the community to help out in all sorts of ways and with all sorts of jobs, on Saturday, June 14.
Whether you can spare time to paint tyres, sort toys, hang shelves or just make tea for the crew, every little bit helps.
Contact principal@straidens.ie to register your availability or for further details.
A 4-1 win against Killala in the U15 Division One Boys Cup has secured S&F United a place in the cup final. The semi-final was delicately poised at a goal apiece at half-time, however, United gave a powerful second-half display to sweep aside their North Mayo opponents. The goals were supplied courtesy of Jamie Loughney, Calum Costello, Oscar McHugh and Michael Ruane.
The U11s hadn’t the same joy in their cup competition as despite a brace of goals from William Hughes, they were beaten 8-2 at home to Ballina Town.
S&F United’s first team were in action in the Castlecourt Hotel Mayo Premier Division and lost 6-3 away to Castlebar Celtic ‘B’. United’s goal-scorers were Dean Allen, Paul Moran and Matthew Leadbeater.
The organisers of Foxford RiverFest have launched a fundraising page at idonate.ie, where they would appreciate any financial donations towards their hosting of this year’s festival which takes place on August 22/23. Ten bands and kids entertainers have already been booked to appear while a lot of maintenance work, such as sandblasting and strengthening tent poles, has taken place.
Anyone who is wishing to attend the 20-year reunion of the Class of 2005 from St Joseph’s Secondary School, Foxford, are asked to confirm their attendance and pay €20 each towards the cost of entertainment and food on the evening. It takes place on June 14 at The Moy Hotel. You can pay Nadine via Revolut at 086-1610559.
