Local notes: Lauren lands People of the Year prize
The first year footballers of St Joseph’s Secondary School, Foxford with the team management of Sean McLoughlin and Sean Carey, after they won a Mayo Post Primary schools title thanks to victory over Ballyhaunis Community School.
The recipients of this year’s Mayo People of the Year awards were announced last Thursday, October 24 and there was great delight locally with news that the 2024 Gradam na Gaeilge award is to be presented to Lauren Mullaney.
Founder of Foxford’s Irish language conversation group, Ciorcal Comhrá, Lauren Ní Mhaoileanaigh was nominated by her peers for her dedication to getting the group up and running and maintaining interest via her ‘Talk to Lauren’ group chat on social media native of Bohola, Lauren is a Trinity College graduate who works as an executive with Gael Linn in Dublin.
She explained previously that while not completing her primary or secondary education through the medium of Irish, nor growing up with Irish in the household, she fell in love with the language by chance and decided to study it in college.
She cited one of the great enablers to her growing her ability of the language was the weekly Ciorcal Comhrá in the Linenhall, Castlebar, so it was the desire to give something back that she founded the group in Foxford.
A total of 21 individuals and groups will be honoured at this year’s Mayo People of the Year Awards which will take place in Breaffy House Hotel on Friday, November 15. Organised by Mayo Rehab, Mayo County Council and The Connaught Telegraph, the awards are now in their 30th year. The proceeds of the night go directly to Mayo Rehab for the development of facilities for service users.
A Foxford teenager has been named among a squad of 17 players to represent Connacht at this week’s 2024 FAI Schools Under 15 Girls’ Interprovincial Series. The competition kicks-off today (Tuesday) in Athlone Town AFC and runs until Thursday.
Emily Coleman, who attends St Joseph’s Secondary School, was selected for the three-day tournament which sees 68 of the top players in Irish Schools line out from all corners of the country as they compete for their province in the hope of also making the cut for international assessment next month. The tournament will be the first step in the process of selecting the FAI Schools International Development squad of 18 players who will compete in the 2025 Bob Docherty Cup.
Emily’s call-up comes hot on the heels of fellow St Joseph’s student Amber Hardy’s selection for the Republic of Ireland women's U19 squad. Amber is currently involved in a double header of fixtures that saw Ireland travel to play Belgium last Saturday, with a second game against their hosts due to take place today (Tuesday). In advance of travelling, she was presented with cards from both students and staff in recognition of her wonderful achievement.
The funeral took place at St Michael’s Church, Foxford on Saturday last, October 26, of Martin Walsh, Gardiner Street, Dublin 1 and late of Churchpark, Foxford.
Martin’s unexpected passing at his residence in Dublin has brought great sadness to those who knew and loved him.
Predeceased by his parents Pat and Ellen and his brother Michael, he will be dearly missed by his brothers Eddie and Paddy, his nephews Lawrence and Padraic, his niece Ann, his in-laws, relatives, neighbours and many friends in Dublin, Mayo and around the globe.
Martin lay in repose at Corrigan & Sons Funeral Home on Lower Camden Street, Dublin on Thursday, and again on Friday evening at Clarke’s Funeral Home, Foxford. Following his funeral Mass on Saturday, burial was at Craggagh Cemetery.
May he rest in peace.
The latest gathering of the Foxford Traditional Singing and Poetry Group will take place in Guiry’s Bar this coming Thursday, October 31 at 8.30pm. All are welcome to attend.
It remains the case that money counters are sought to assist with the counting and lodging of the offertory and other collections at St Michael’s Church and around Foxford parish. The counting, with three to four other counters, would take less than 30 minutes and Fr Padraig Costello has indicated a few more counters are required in order to fill rotas. If you would be available, you can let Fr Padraig know at 087-2422273.
Ticket sales have been very brisk for the night of ‘Candlelight Music’ which is to be held at St Michael's Church, Foxford at 7pm on Friday, November 15. That is one of two quite different consecutive nights of music have been organised to take place in Foxford in aid of Cancer Care West, Mayo Cancer Support and the Oncology Ward at Mayo University Hospital.
The night of ‘Candlelight Music’ will see opera singers Anne Marie Gibbons and Sean Ruane be accompanied by BellaCapella along with some traditional music by the Doherty, Doocey and McHugh families. Fewer than 50 tickets remain for the event.
In addition, a Rock night will be held in Cruiser's Bar the following night, Saturday, November 16 from 9pm.
For tickets for either or both events, contact Sarah Ruane on 087-7965520.
The Annual Remembrance Mass for parishioners who have died in the last year will take place at St Michael’s Church on Friday, November 8 at 7pm.
A brace of goals from Jamie Loughney helped S&F United advance to Round 3 of the SFAI U14 Boys Subway Cup as the Green Road outfit got the better of visiting Maree Oranmore by two goals to nil, thanks to an all-round fine team performance.
However, there was less luck for United’s U16 boys in the SFAI National Trophy as they suffered a 6-2 loss away to Sligo’s Merville United. Brady Guilfoyle and Luke McTigue scored a goal apiece.
Well done to Paul Sherry, Foxford, who scooped €165 as the latest winner of S&F United’s weekly 50-50 draw.
The Foxford Bridge Club has resumed for the winter and is meeting in the Social Services Centre every Wednesday night from 6 to 9pm. Everyone is very welcome regardless of whether a beginner or not.
If you want to join the club or if you want to learn to play Bridge, please contact Richard at 085-1095471 or email Foxfordbridgesec@gmail.com.
Cllr Neil Cruise has raised the potential of Mayo creating its own Camino-type walking festival. The Foxford-based councillor brought his idea to the monthly meeting of Mayo County Council having been inspired by the exploits of Swinford man Cathal Kelly who recently completed an epic 2,200 kilometre walk from Canterbury to Rome on the ancient Via Francigena route.
Cllr Cruise suggested to the meeting that a weekend county-wide walking festival would cater for cultural, tourism and spiritual needs and attract national and international walkers. Such was the positive response among fellow councillors, his idea will now be explored under the council’s tourism and outdoor recreational strategy.
St Joseph’s Secondary School won its second straight game in the U19 Boys Regional Basketball League last week when getting the better of Davitt College, Castlebar. The team is next in action on November 11 when along with the U16 team, they will host Our Lady’s, Belmullet in a double header of games.
On the soccer pitch meanwhile, St Joseph’s U15 boys were second best to St Paul’s of Oughterard last week. Brady Guilfoyle scored but despite a good team display, the Moysiders were beaten 3-1.
Foxford Board Games will return to its usual schedule on Thursday, November 14 at 7pm at Foxford Leisure Centre.
Best wishes to all at Moy Davitts GAA who are to mark the club’s 50th Anniversary in the company of GAA President Jarlath Burns this coming Saturday night, November 2, with a celebratory dinner dance at the Great National Hotel in Ballina. The evening will kick off with a drinks reception followed by dinner at 7.30pm.
Music on the night is by the Brian McDermott Band, with a DJ until late.
In line with Diocesan recommendations, it is hoped to have a Baptism team in Foxford Parish to help the local priest in helping the parents to prepare for the celebration of the sacrament of baptism for their child. Therefore, an appeal has been made for volunteers who would be willing to take part in a short training programme. From 2025, it is planned that baptisms will take place in St Michael’s Church on one (or perhaps two) weekends each month. Alternatively, parents may wish to have the baptism take place during one of the weekend Masses which would be very welcome.
If you are willing to become part of the Baptism team contact Fr Padraig (087-2422273) or any member of the Parish Pastoral Council.
