Local notes: New Moy Davitts club gym opens in Foxford and new website celebrates Admiral Brown
Political heavyweights Cllr Neil Cruise and Michael Ring TD test out the equipment at the opening of Moy Davitts GAA Club's new gym. Picture courtesy of Moy Davitts GAA
A wonderful new website, www.admiralbrown.com, has been created by the Admiral Brown Society in Foxford that celebrates all things connected with thw town’s native son William Brown, founder of the Argentine Navy. Already it is a treasure-trove of information on all things connected with Brown, Argentina, Foxford and Ireland, but the society is eagerly inviting anyone who may have other relevant photographs or videos to share on the website’s gallery, to contact them via email at admiralbrownsoc@gmail.com.
The website is well worth checking out if you haven’t already done so.
A milestone moment was celebrated at Sraith Garbh on Sunday, March 3 as Moy Davitts GAA Club held the official opening of its new state-of-the-art gym that has been constructed and kitted out in recent months. Special guest was Michael Ring TD, former Minister for Sport, Transport, Tourism and Sport, who was joined in performing the opening by his Fine Gael party colleague Cllr Neil Cruise, a long time supporter and sponsor of the club.
2024 marks the 50th anniversary of the formation of Moy Davitts GAA Club and the opening of the gym is just one of several fun-filled and inclusive events that are planned over the course of the year.
Excitement is building in advance of this week’s production of ‘Seven Brides for Seven Brothers’ which is being staged by the students of St Joseph’s Secondary School. The musical is to run for three nights at Foxford Sports and Leisure Centre, Wednesday to Friday, March 13 to 15, with curtain up at 7.30pm each night. Tickets are €15 or €10 for students.
34 years of teaching at St Joseph’s Secondary School, Foxford came to an end last week with the retirement of Mr James Cunney.
The geography and maths teacher had been a mainstay of the school since his arrival in 1990, with his aunt Ms Peggy Cunney having also taught mathematics at St Joseph’s. James’ love for his subjects is well known, in particular by the hundreds of students who passed through his classroom.
A hugely popular figure among students and staff alike, they all gathered together last week to celebrate his long teaching career, and to thank him for his years of service.
James is wished all the very best as he embarks on his retirement.
Bishop Paul Dempsey was at St Michael’s Church last Saturday, March 9, for the confirmation of 34 young people. The Foxford parish wished to extend congratulations and blessings to: Frank Berkowski, Kasia Berkowsko, Gearoid Clarke, Harry Coleman, Georgia Egan, Joseph Elstone, Carla Ferguson Gallagher, Grace Gallagher, Dara Gaughan, Anna Gillespie, Ella Grace Ginty, Kaiden Hardy, Caoimhe Holland, Freya Eirini Howley, Meabh Kennedy, Ciara Loftus, Cian Loughney, Shane Macken, Sophie Macken, Roisin McDonagh, Addison McDonnell, Eve McEvoy, Killian McGuire, Sophie McHale, Jason McShea, Kate Moylett, Croidhe Ni Dhochartaigh, Darragh O’Brien, Alannagh Prendergast, Nikola Radek, Jamie Regan, Michael Ruane, Alyssa Thompson and Sean Walsh.
Following on from last week’s announcement that the Boyle Family had decided to wind down their annual ‘Run for Boylo’, the good news is that the event will continue to be held under a different guise, thanks to a number of Run for Boylo committee members.
Foxtrot, a 5k and 10k run, will go ahead in Foxford on April 28, so be sure to save the date. Further details are to follow.
An afternoon of prayer has been arrange by the Connacht Pioneers for the Blessed Sacrament Chapel in Knock on Palm Sunday, March 24. Prayers will start at 3pm and finish with Mass at 5pm. All are welcome.
It has reduced journey times but more importantly, improved road safety, and now the project that saw the construction of a new bridge over the River Moy at Cloongullane and realignment of the N26 between Foxford and Swinford won Engineering Project of the Year at last week’s 2024 Irish Building and Design Awards, which took place at the Intercontinental Hotel, Dublin.
The countdown is truly on to next Saturday’s St Patrick’s Parade in Foxford.
Entertainment will be in the middle of the town from 1pm with the parade itself due to get underway at 2pm. Five marching bands are confirmed as taking part, namely the Midfield Pipe Band, Castlebar Concert Band, Crumlin Pipe Band, Batalá Samba Band and, of course, the Foxford Brass and Reed Band.
It is reported that there has been a phenomenal response to the invitation for floats and for people to take part in the parade, so this seems set to be Foxford’s biggest one yet.
A free-to-enter Tractor Run will follow immediately behind, with tractors asked to follow the signs and the advice of stewards when gathering on Swinford road at 1pm.
Parade presentations will take place immediately afterwards, at the band stand on Main Street. A €100 diesel voucher is on offer to the best presented tractor on the day.
The christening took place on Saturday, March 2 at St Michael’s Church, Foxford of Emily Bridget Reape, daughter of Olivia and Daniel Reape. Congratulations to all concerned.
Neil Cruise was the winner of last week’s Moy Davitts GAA 50/50 draw, receiving prizemoney of €446.
Transition Year students at St Joseph’s Secondary School celebrated two significant wins at last week’s Mayo Student Enterprise competition. Lillian Sinnott received the ‘Best Sales’ award for her business, ‘Woolen Wonders’, while Eoin Murphy, Lily Hegarty and Ashling Burke Walsh were awarded with ‘Best Stand’ for their business ‘Mindful Moments’.
Over the past few months, teachers Mrs Foy, Mrs Doyle and Mrs Cafferkey were mentors to the TY students who showed great enterprising skills and work ethic at last week’s event.
This year’s Communion class are to make their First Confession at St Michael’s Church, Foxford on Wednesday, March 20 at 11.15am.
As part of the An Taisce National Clean-up, the Foxford Enhancement Group is looking for as many volunteers as possible to assist in a major clean-up of the town on Easter Monday, April 1.
Bags, gloves, pickers and hi vis vests will be provided for the clean-up, with volunteers asked to assemble in the pharmacy car park at 11am.
You can text 087-9422666 to join.
The funeral took place at St Michael’s Church, Foxford on Wednesday last, March 6, of Eileen (Eilee) O’Donnell from Glanduff.
Eileen passed away peacefully in the gentle care of the staff of Sacred Heart Hospital, Castlebar, surrounded by her family.
Predeceased by her parents Mary Ellen and Patrick O’Donnell, her sisters Maureen, Winnie, Anne and Peggy, and her brothers John and James, Eileen will be forever loved and sadly missed by her sisters Alice Killeen and Celia Moran (Castlebar), her brother Patrick O’Donnell (Glanduff), her many nieces and nephews, extended family, neighbours and friends.
Eileen lay in repose at Clarke’s Funeral Home, Foxford last Tuesday and after funeral Mass the following day, burial took place at St Martin’s Cemetery, Glanduff.
May she rest in peace.
Foxford and District Alzheimer’s Trust is seeking donations on the back of an exceptionally busy few weeks in its charity store on Bridge Street. Memories is open from 11am to 5pm from Tuesday through to Saturday. Donations of women’s and men’s clothing and shoes, handbags, gift sets, household items and small items of furniture will all be gladly accepted and appreciated.
Knockmore Foxford BC have a big weekend of boxing to look forward to this St Patrick’s Weekend. On Saturday, March 16 the club will host its annual Vincy James Memorial Tournament at the Community Centre, Knockmore. The first bout is at 8pm with a mixture of experienced and underage boxers taking part. Then, on Bank Holiday Monday, March 18, an underage-only event will take place at the same venue, with the first bout at midday.
