Local notes: Parish to celebrate milestone anniversary
Ella Ginty (13) and Holly Ginty (11) with their mum Jennifer after running the Mayo.ie Western People West of Ireland Women's Mini Marathon. Ella, who is a first year student at St Joseph's Secondary School in Foxford, placed a fantastic fourteenth overall in a field of over 2,000 runners, finishing the 10k in a time of 43.26 to be fourth fastest teenager.
Preparations are underway to mark the 50th anniversary of Fr Padraig Costello’s ordination to the priesthood. The Foxford Parish Pastoral Council and organising committee are extending an open invitation to the community to join in a Golden Jubilee celebration Mass and reception in honour of Fr Padraig, at St Michael’s Church, Foxford on Sunday, June 1. The Mass is at 6pm and will be livestreamed on www.churchtv.ie/foxford for anyone who cannot be present.
A reception will be held immediately afterwards in Foxford Sports and Leisure Centre and it is hoped as many people as possible will attend both events.
In addition, the organisers are creating a memory book to commemorate Fr Padraig's years of service to the community. If you have a special photograph reflecting his involvement with your group that you would like included, email a copy to foxfordparishcouncil@gmail.com.
For any further queries, you may also contact any of the following: Angela Neary, chairperson, 087-9291598; Geraldine Carroll, secretary, 085-1174497; Helen Clarke 085-8282000; Michael Lavin 085-8300716; Marion Ryder 087-9233928.
Foxford National School will mark Grandparents Day this Friday, May 16 by welcoming any grandparents of pupils who are free to join them in celebrating Mass in St Michael’s Church, Foxford at 10am after which they may visit the school where refreshments will be served until 11.15am in the school hall. Grandparents can then go and visit their eldest grandchild’s class from 11.15am through to 11.45am.
Congratulations to the 33 boys and girls who received First Holy Communion at the Mass in St Michael's Church last Saturday morning: Charlie Burke, Tom Burke, Hunter Byrne, Xander Carmichal, Serena Clarke, James Cuffe, Jack Curley, Saoirse Dempsey, Isabel Early, Lauren Ferguson, Jake Foley, Liam Healy, Adam Hennigan, Lauryn Hughes, William Hughes, Raiden Jacob, Darragh Kelly, Eoin Kennedy, Molly Kielty, Jade Lavelle, Sadie Loughney, Abigail McDonnell, Cathal McHugh- Gaughan, Siofra Noone, Holly O’Hara, Bonni-Leigh Prendergast, Eliza Prendergast, Logan Reape, Kallum Regan, Natalia Stembalska, Chelsea San Miranda, Aoife Timlin and Rowan Toolan.
Five good sized springers were reported caught on the waters of Foxford Salmon Anglers for the week-ending Sunday, May 4. The River Moy is in great condition and fishable with all methods albeit for anglers, there has still been a chilly northeasterly to contend with despite the lovely weather. The riverbanks and stiles are now in excellent condition thanks to the waterkeepers and more anglers are beginning to appear.
A seventeen points home win was the best possible way for Moy Davitts to mark the start of their 2025 Mayo LGFA Senior League Division 2B campaign. They got the better of Davitts by 4-14 to 0-9 and now face into games against MacHale Rovers and Ballyhaunis who are the other two teams in their group.
Meanwhile, congratulations to the U14 girls who won the Faye Lavin Memorial Blitz in Breaffy. It’s a competition named in memory of Faye, a former Breaffy player whose family has very close connections to Moy Davitts.
Congratulations to Monika Rys, Foxford who won €350 in the weekly Moy Davitts GAA 50-50 draw. Tickets are available in the usual retail outlets and by playing on the club app. Moy Davitts GAA extends a sincere thanks to everyone who continues to support what remains a vital source of revenue for the club.
Moy Davitts GAA is welcoming new members to its GAA For All programme which has returned on Saturday mornings. You can contact Barbara on bconlon02@gmail.com or Deirdre at 087-6951835 if your child is interested in joining.
Registrations are now being accepted for this summer's Moy Davitts GAA Kellogg's Cúl Camp which takes place from Monday, June 30 until Friday, July 4. Register at www.kelloggsculcamps.gaa.ie.
Admiral Brown CCÉ had a number of members participating in the sean-nós dancing competitions at Fleadh Cheoil Mhaigh Eo on Bank Holiday Monday at Ballina Arts Centre – and they did so with considerable success.
Peter Fox finished second in the senior competition, Niamh Doherty was placed third in the 15-18 age category, Croídhe Doherty was second in the 12-15 and Ida Hennigan was second in the U12 category, with all four participants qualifying for this year’s Connacht Fleadh which will take place in Ballinasloe.
Congratulations also to branch member John Clarke who was placed first in the U10 sean-nós competition.
Fleadh Cheoil Mhaigh Eo continued over the course of last weekend with the music and singing competitions, results of which will appear next week.
Well done to Melanie Bracewell who won the jackpot of €1,675 in the St Joseph’s Secondary School lotto last week. All proceeds from the lotto go towards the students of the school. Anyone who wishes to enter the draw can do so at www.ourfundraiser.ie/org/stjosephsfoxford.
A reunion of the Class of 2005 from St Joseph’s Secondary School, Foxford is organised for Saturday, June 14. Anyone who was a member of the year group from 1999 to 2005 are invited to attend.
Past students are asked to register their interest with Cian at 087-3346803, Maria at 089-4435771 or Nadine at 086-1610559.
The Rosary is being said at 7pm at the Grotto on the Swinford Road every Friday for the Month of May. All are welcome.
The U13 girls team had a busy week, playing two home league games in three days. They enjoyed a comprehensive win against Claremorris with Lucy Durkan in top form scoring four goals, and goals apiece by Maeve Dempsey, Anna Howley, Amber Gilnagh and Grainne McLoughlin. Things were much tighter when Westport United called to town however, with the visitors managing a 2-1 win. Luck Durkan scored United’s goal.
There was also two games in three days for S&F United boys in the Mayo U17 League Division 2. They came from two goals down to draw 2-2 with neighbours Conn Rangers, as Brady Guilfoyle and Donnacha Timlin both found the net, while Guilfoyle struck four times in a 6-0 win against Partry Athletic. The other goals were provided by Kiefer Walsh and Connell Reilly.
Green Road was the venue for the clash of S&F and Ballyvary Blue Bombers in the Mayo U15 Shield. United’s ‘B’ team play in a division below the Bombers who sneaked a 4-3 win. Darragh O’Brien scored twice for the hosts with the other goal supplied by Thomas McLoughlin.
The weekly winner of the S&F United 50-50 lotto jackpot was Kaitlyn Jordan, Straide, who picked up a cheque for €100. Tickets are available in local outlets or you can also play online at smartlotto.ie.
Providing the weather allows, Mass is to be celebrated outside St Thomas’ Church, Callow on June 1, at 10am.
The 13th Annual Mayo AC 5k Series is getting underway this month and Foxford will stage one of the five races on the evening of Tuesday, May 27. There will also be races in Castlebar (May 13), Westport (May 20), Claremorris (June 3) and Ballinrobe (June 10).
You can enter all five races for €40 (or €42.60 for a non Athletics Ireland member) or enter a single race for €10 (€12 for non Athletics Ireland members). The minimum entry age is 13 years on the day of the race. To enter, visit www.mayoac.com.
The Defective Concrete Block (DCB) Support Group, which is a homeowner led initiative, wishes to create emotional support for widowed/divorced/separated or single property owners in Mayo who have been effected by pyrite/DCB and who have found themselves navigating this process alone. This will be an independent and confidential support group. All expressions of interest welcome. Contact Anne at 089-2666389.
If you are looking for something new and interesting to do, the Foxford Board Games social group continues to meet at 7pm on the second and fourth Thursdays of the month at Foxford Sports and Leisure Centre. New players, young and old, are more than welcome.
The Brown Memorial Hall is home each Wednesday evening to set dancing classes which take place from 7pm. Beginners are more than welcome to attend.
