Local notes: Students to perform 'crazy little' musical
Pictured in the Moy Hotel, Foxford, at the presentation of the proceeds from the recent Coolegrane Christmas Lights Foxford appeal in aid of Down Syndrome Ireland Mayo Branch are Kevin Hughes, (left), Coolgrane Christmas Lights, presenting a €6,755 cheque to Deirdre O’Malley, (right), Down Syndrome Mayo. Also included back, from left: Brendan Hughes, (Coolgrane Christmas Lights); Pat Boyle, Stephen Barrett, William Noone, Paula Murphy and Kathrina Barrett.
The Transition Year students of St Joseph’s Secondary School are staging a musical at Foxford Sports and Leisure Centre later this month. They will perform ‘A Crazy Little Thing Called Love’ on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, March 26-28. Curtain is up at 7.30pm each evening. Admission is €15 for adults and €10 for students.
Bishop Michael Burrows’ journey around his large Diocese during Lent will see him in Foxford on Thursday, March 19 at 4pm. He will view some classic vehicles which we hope to have outside the church and give a short address in the church. Everyone is most welcome.
The funeral took place last Tuesday, March 10 of Bill Thompson, Coolagagh, who passed away at Mayo University Hospital, Castlebar.
Bill, who was predeceased by his wife Mary, his parents Bridget and Tom and his sisters Annie and May, will be deeply missed by his daughter Sharon, grandson Leon, granddaughter Alyssa, his sister Agnes, nieces, nephews, neighbours and friends.
Bill reposed at Clarke’s Funeral Home and following the celebration of his funeral Mass at St Michael’s Church in Foxford, he was laid to rest in Craggagh cemetery.
May he rest in peace.
A pair of Moy Davitts teammates were on opposing sides last week as the Connacht GAA Senior Inter-Firms Football final was played in Glenamaddy. Oisin McHugh played at wing-back on the Medtronic side that beat Abbvie for whom Brian Reape was captain and featured at full-forward. In fact, Brian scored 2-3 for the Sligo side but it wasn’t enough to prevent Medtronic from running out winners on a 5-16 to 3-15 scoreline, with Oisin McHugh even chipping in with a couple of points for the Galway outfit.
An open invitation is extended to any ladies who would like to play basketball every Wednesday night at 9pm in Foxford Sports and Leisure Centre. It’s great fun and a great way to exercise. Come solo, come as a group, everyone is welcome.
Sympathy is extended to the family of the late Joe Gaughan, Corlee, Attymachugh and formerly of Gortnahurra, Crossmolina, who passed peacefully at University Hospital, Galway.
Joe was predeceased by his adored infant daughter Helen, his parents Mary and Jack and his siblings. He will be dearly missed by his sons Bernard (Laura), David (Be), John, Michael (Catherine), James (Lucy), Kevin (Emma) and their mother Ann, his adored grandchildren, his sisters Madeline, Eileen and Patsy, his great friend Matt, extended family neighbours and many friends.
Joe lay in repose at Clarke’s Funeral Home and his funeral Mass was celebrated at St Michael’s Church, Foxford on Sunday, March 8. Burial afterwards was in Funeral Mass for Joe will be celebrated on Sunday at 12.30 with the funeral Craggagh cemetery.
May he rest in peace.
The Fr Peyton Centre in Attymass is to host a one day spring retreat on Saturday, March 21 themed ‘Waiting in hope on the journey through Lent’. It will begin at 11am and conclude at 4.30pm, with the day involving spiritual talks, reflection, quiet time, rosary and Mass. The cost is €25, which includes tea, coffee on arrival and light lunch. Booking is essential. For enquiries and booking contact at Fina 096-45374 or 087-6816821.
This year's Moy Davitts Golf Classic takes place at Ballina Golf Club on Saturday, May 30. The entry fee is €160 per team of four and there will be some major prizes on the day, including nights away and green fees at some of the top golf courses in Ireland. There will also be prizes for the longest drive and nearest the pin, and a halfway house barbeque at the ninth hole for those looking for a bite to eat and drink during their round. To book, contact Ballina Golf Club on 096-21050 or info@ballina-golf.com. Early booking is advised.
The funeral Mass was celebrated at the Church of the Assumption, Toomore last Tuesday, March 10 of the late Eileen McGowan (née Towey), Streedagh, Grange, Co. Sligo and formerly of Renbrack, Foxford, Predeceased by her beloved husband Paddy, Eileen passed peacefully in the exceptional care of the staff in CCU at University Hospital Galway. She is dearly missed by her loving children Edel (Ryan) and Ciaran, son-in-law Paul, daughter-in-law Sarah, her adoring grandchildren, sisters-in-law, nephews, nieces, relatives, neighbours and friends.
Following her requiem mass, Eileen was buried in Toomore cemetery.
May she rest in peace.
S&F United have congratulated their player Paul Moran who had a busy night at the Mayo Football League awards night which was held in the Castlecourt Hotel, Westport on Saturday, March 7. In what was a fantastic achievement, Paul picked up no fewer than four individual awards: 2024/2025 Masters Team of the Year, 2025/2026 Masters Team of the Year, 2024/2025 Golden Boot, 2025/2026 Golden Boot.
The U17 girls soccer team from St Joseph’s Secondary School have qualified for the Connacht U17 Shield Final after a hat-trick by Emily Coleman, two goals from Kasia Berkowska and one from Addison McDonnell helped them to a comfortable semi-final win last week.
Meanwhile, the U15 boys are still awaiting to find out who they will play in the FAI Schools Minor ‘B’ Boys National Cup semi-final. Coláiste AIligh, Leitir Ceanainn and Pobalscoil Ghaoth Dobhair have yet to play their Ulster final, with St Joe’s due to take on the winners on Tuesday, April 14.
A pair of students from St Joseph’s Secondary School gave excellent accounts of themselves at the All-Ireland Schools Cross Country finals which were held at Mallusk Playing Fields in Belfast on Saturday, March 7.
In perfect conditions for running, Ruairí Reynolds finished 21st out of a field of 116 athletes in the minor boys race which was held over 2,500m. That placed him as the third Connacht runner across the line. Remarkably, Rory Gruddy also finished in 21st position in the hugely competitive intermediate boys 5,000m and is young enough for the same grade next year.
Both Ruairí and Rory are members of Swinford AC.
Community Employment positions are available at the Michael Davitt Museum in Straide in areas such as tour guiding, reception, marketing and research. Full training will be provided. For further details contact John on 087-9371827.
Registration for a new table tennis club in Foxford is to be held on April 3. All ages are invited to join. You can pre-register by messaging 086-8373646.
The senior footballers enjoyed a winning start to their 2026 season when beating Kilmoremoy 5-17 to 2-15 in the opening round of Mayo LGFA Division 2. For the first time ever, the club also fielded a second adult ladies team with the juniors hosting Aghamore in Division 5. While the result may not have gone their way, there were some fantastic passages of play and great support for the team who initially came together last year as part of a social initiative to get back playing football.
Moy Davitts will get their 2026 Homeland U16 Football League Division 3 campaign underway this coming Saturday, March 21 when they travel to play Islandeady. Throw in is at 11am.
The senior team is in action later in the day when they host Charlestown Sarsfields at 5.30pm in the East Mayo Centenary Cup.
Foróige has issued an appeal for volunteers to assist in the youth organisation delivering its Mentoring Programme in Foxford and the surrounding area.
If you are interested in supporting a young person and perhaps have a spare hour in the week, mentoring is an enjoyable way to spend your time and have a positive impact in a young person’s life!
Call or WhatsApp Mary on 086-0471420 to express your interest in volunteering for Foróige's Mentoring Programme and to hear more information on the recruitment process.
The 18th edition of the Straide Passion play will be performed on Good Friday. Rehearsals got underway last night (Monday, March 16) but will continue on the next two Monday nights also, at 8pm. New members will be most welcome.
