Memorable occasion as parish priest celebrates Golden Jubilee
Foxford parish priest Fr Padraig Costello is pictured with members of his family at a special Mass in St Michael's Church in Foxford to celebrate the golden jubilee of his ordination to the priesthood. There was a huge turnout for the Mass and reception in the local Sports and Leisure Centre with many tributes paid to Fr Padraig, who has served in eight parishes in the Diocese of Achonry over the past 50 years.
Fr Padraig Costello’s fifty years as a priest were wonderfully marked with the special Mass held in St Michael’s Church on Sunday, June 1 to celebrate the golden jubilee of his ordination. A huge crowd filled both church and Admiral Brown Hall where the overflow were able to watch the televised Mass that saw Bishop Kevin Doran join with a host of other priests familiar to Foxford for the celebration.
A native of Kilkelly, Fr Padraig Costello has spent sixteen years serving as Parish Priest in Foxford having previously served throughout other parishes in the Diocese of Achonry during his fifty years.
Foxford Brass & Reed Band, the parish choir, and local traditional musicians and soloists, contributed to a beautiful Mass, with many others assisting in the organisation of the event, from car parking to the post-Mass party in Foxford Sports and Leisure Centre.
Fr Padraig is wished all the very best by the community he continues to serve so caringly and diligently.
Significant funding has been awarded to Moy Davitts GAA following its application to the Community Response Fund which the club learnt last week was successful. A total of €112,918 has been allocated for the erection of a new boundary wall at the club grounds in Sraith Garbh, and for the installation of a new footpath and car parking facilities.
Moy Davitts GAA has expressed its gratitude to Dara Calleary TD, Minister for Social Protection and Rural & Community Development, Anne Daly, Executive Engineer with Mayo County Council, and county councillors Neil Cruise and Adrian Forkan.
The longest day of the year will be marked in Foxford this year with a fundraising event in aid of FACT Social Club. The Foxford-based charity, which provides care and support for Alzheimer’s patients, is hosting ‘Walk a Mile and Make me Smile’ on Saturday, June 21 where it is inviting the community to walk a meaningful mile in support of those living with Alzheimer’s and their families.
It will start at the new FACT Social Club Foxford on Admiral Brown Road and every step will help to raise awareness and vital funds. You can register and donate at www.eventbrite.ie. All funds raised will stay local to support people with dementia and those facing rural isolation.
A wonderful opportunity recently presented itself to Eoin Murphy, a fifth student at St Joseph’s Secondary School in Foxford, where he travelled to Strasbourg to attend, along with other Irish students, a session at the Council of Europe Youth Department, where they discussed the importance of youth work in Ireland and explored ways to improve it and further uplift youth voices.
Eoin and the Irish delegation also visited the AGORA building, which houses the Council of Europe’s departments. There, they met with the European Union – Council of Europe Youth Partnership, who shared updates on their current projects and spoke about potential areas for collaboration.
The group also visited the Palais for the Council of Europe and the Office of the Commissioner for Human Rights where Eoin Murphy had the opportunity to have a tour of the European Court of Human Rights and the privilege of meeting Judge Úna Ní Raifeartaigh. She shared her journey to becoming a judge and gave insights into her work at the Court, on what was a very memorable experience for Eoin.
The funeral took place on Friday, June 6 of Margaret ‘Peggy’ Gilmartin (née Donnelly), from Rinnaney, Foxford and formerly of Lissycasey, Co Clare. The cherished mother of Chris, John, David and daughter Mary, Margaret was predeceased by her husband Patrick, parents Jack and Margaret, and by her sisters Bridie, Nora, Eileen and Bernie. She is also survived and dearly missed by her grandchildren, great-grandchildren, her sisters Mary and Martina, brothers Pakie and Gerry, son in-law, daughters in-law, extended family, neighbours and friends.
Margaret lay in repose at Clarke's Funeral Home on Friday before removal to St Michael’s Church for celebration of her funeral Mass. A cremation service was held in Shannon Crematorium on Sunday.
May she rest in peace.
The funeral took place last Saturday, June 7 of Marie Howley (née McMahon) of Upper Main Street, Foxford and formerly of Tulla, Co Clare.
Marie, who was predeceased by her husband Martin, their son Justin and her sisters Paula, Noelette and Ita, will be dearly missed by her heartbroken family, sons Padraic, Matt, John, Eugene and David, and her daughter Maria, along with Matt’s partner Mary, John’s partner Usha, David’s wife Mary, Maria’s husband Seán, and daughter in-law Kathleen. Marie is also dearly missed by her grandchildren Patrick, Laura, Sorcha, Riona, Seán and Danni, great grandchild Éabha, her brother Matthew, nephews, nieces, relatives and many friends in Foxford and the wider communities.
Marie reposed at Clarke's Funeral Home, Foxford on Friday evening and following Saturday’s funeral Mass at St Michael's Church, her burial was in Craggagh Cemetery.
May she rest in peace.
There was great joy for the under-12 footballers of Moy Davitts last Wednesday evening as they secured the Mayo Spring League Group 3 title thanks to a win away to neighbours Knockmore in what was a top of the table clash at St Joseph’s Park. It was the team’s sixth win in six games, with victories over Belmullet, Swinford, Crossmolina, Ardnaree and Naomh Padraig along the way. They fielded two teams every week to ensure every player got plenty of game time.
Congratulations to the under-14 footballers of Moy Davitts who beat Claremorris by 3-9 to 2-3 in last week’s semi-final of the Homeland U14 League Division 1 Shield.
Moy Davitts were in action in Mayo SFL Division 1B on Saturday evening last, June 7 where they travelled to play Balla. The visitors trailed 0-9 to 0-6 at half-time and matters didn’t improve thereafter, as Balla ran out comfortable 0-20 to 1-10 winners. Their next league outing is at home to Claremorris on Saturday, June 21 at 7pm.
Members of Foxford Ramblers Walking Club and regular attendees of their weekly club outings should take note that there will be no walk this coming Sunday, June 15 as there is a club weekend away in Donegal.
The management and staff of St Joseph’s Secondary School extend best wishes to their students who commenced their Leaving and Junior Certificate exams last Wednesday, June 4.
The school recently celebrated the graduation of its 2025 Leaving Cert class with a special Mass in St Michael’s Church which was followed by a meal in Foxford Sports and Leisure Centre with students, parents/guardians and school staff present. A special graduation cake was presented by the Parent’s Association for the night. Head Girl Patricia Duffy and Head Boy Tadhg McCarthy thanked many in their speeches, paying particular tribute to the staff of St Joseph’s on what was a wonderfully memorable occasion.
All at St Joseph’s wish the Class of ‘25 all the very best, now and in the years ahead.
The cemetery masses for Attymass Parish this month are as follows: Bonnifinglas Cemetery, Monday, June 23 at 8pm; Old Killeen Cemetery, Wednesday, June 25 at 8pm; New Killeen Cemetery, Friday, June 27 at 8pm. A collection for the upkeep of the cemeteries will take place at each Mass.
When the rain finally came, so did the salmon, with Foxford Salmon Anglers reporting no fewer than 31 springers as caught for the week ending Sunday, June 1, including up to 13lbs. There has been a notable increase in the numbers of anglers visiting the area and all methods and bait have enjoyed success, including the worm.
€365 was the jackpot prize collected by Gayle Commons in last week’s Moy Davitts GAA 50-50 draw while Tommy Durkan, Foxford, and Tom Gruddy both won €100 in the most recent S&F United 50-50 draws. Congratulations to all. Remember to keep supporting the draws as both are valuable fundraisers for each club.
There were defeats for both of S&F United’s U13 boys teams last week. In Mayo League Division 1, Heath Byrne scored United’s only goal in a 6-1 defeat at home to Castlebar Town while in Division 4A, the team lost 5-0 away to Claremorris. However, Claremorris was the venue for much better fortune for the S&F United U13 girls as Amber Ginlagh scored the game’s only goal to give them a 1-0 victory over the home side. They followed that up with a 2-1 win at home to Ballina Town in what was their final game of the season, which secured them a second place finish in the table. Presentations were made after the game to Esme Boland (Most Improved Player of the Year), Lucy Durkan (Goalscorer (18) of the Year) and Jemma Jordan (Players Player of The Year).
Jemma Jordan. A special word of thanks to the management team of Catherine, Sarah, Wayne and Brian.
Meanwhile, the spoils were shared in the Mayo U15 Boys Premier Division as Rian Jordan’s brace saw United held to a 2-2 draw by Swinford at Green Road.
The senior women’s team lost 5-0 at home to Castlebar Town in the Mayo Women’s Premier Division.
Best wishes are extended to local portrait artist Laura Hennigan, whose opening night of her solo art exhibition took place at Ballina Library last Friday evening, June 6. The exhibition will run until the end of June and is open to the public, with a selection of the works being for sale.
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.
Best wishes to all who are looking forward to celebrating the 20-year reunion of the Class of 2005 from St Joseph’s Secondary School, Foxford. An event has been planned for this coming Saturday night, June 14, at The Moy Hotel.
