Foxford -The Home of Quality
Situated on the River Moy, the picturesque town of Foxford has established an excellent reputation as a tourist centre. Nestling between the Ox and Nephin mountains Foxford is the ideal location for a relaxing, stress free break away from the routines of working life. The warmth of the Foxford blanket is equally matched by the warmth of its people who are always ready to welcome a visitor to their midst. You can choose from its many traditional pubs, restaurants as well as B&B's and Guesthouses. Foxford has much to entertain its visitors with outdoor activities, visitor centre, fishing and walking.
Population from Census
- 1,058 (2006)
- 878 (2002)
- 944 (1996)
Secondary School
St Joseph's Secondary School, opened by the Sisters of Charity in October 1961, caters for approximately 350 students and has a teaching staff of 27.
Walks
The Foxford Way is an 86km way marked trail which circles the town of Foxford taking in the Ox Mountains, boreens, boglands, archeological sites, lakeshores and river banks. The Foxford Walking Club regularly take to the trails and tracks of the Bealach on a Sunday afternoon. Western Discoveries is a Tour Operator with a wide range of itineraries for walking holidays not only in Foxford but throughout Mayo.
Fishing
Foxford is a popular fishing destination with the River Moy providing excellent stretches of salmon fishing. Nearby Loughs Conn and Cullin are famous for brown trout.
Future
Not content to settle for all this Foxford is looking to the future, The Foxford Admiral Brown project is currently in the planning stages. A memorial to Admiral William Brown, founder of the Argentinian Navy who was born in Foxford in 1777 will be incorporated alongside the Foxford Woollen Mills Visitor Centre.
Badminton
Badminton has always been very popular in the area and sessions take place in the Brown Memorial Hall, each Monday night, at 8.30 p.m. All are welcome to attend.
Swimming Lessons
Swimming lessons take place in Ballina Swimming Pool, on Sundays, from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Contact (094) 56249 for details.
The Woollen Mills TourOne hour selfguiding multi media presentation in French, German, Italian and Spanish as well as English and Irish. 
Olde Mill RestaurantSituated on the first floor the atmosphere is welcoming, bright and traditional seating up to 110 people at any given time. It offers a selection of fresh home-made food, from a cup of tea or coffee, a light snack to full meal. 
Mill ShopLocated on the ground floor the Mill shop stocks a wide range of Irish made giftware as well as the Foxford rugs, blankets and tweeds. Prices are very competitive across all ranges and postal delivery overseas can be arranged. Jewellery WorkshopThe jewellery workshop on the first floor manufactures a fabulous range of gold and silver jewellery catering for all tastes and budgets. Claire and Michael can be seen handcrafting intricate pieces of jewellery, many of which are made to order. Art GalleriesThe Foxford Woollen Mills Visitor Centre hosts two Art Galleries. On the first floor An Grianan Gallery shows the work of local artists, much of the work depicts the beautiful scenery of the county. All paintings are for sale. The Exhibition Centre is to be found beside the Tourist Information Office adjacent to the front gate of the centre. Ten to twelve exhibitions by professional artists are hosted every year ranging in content from paintings to sculpture photography and pottery. LocationFoxford Woollen Mills Vistor Centre is centrally located in County Mayo, just a short drive from any of the major towns. If your groups are travelling from Galway to Sligo or vice versa, you will find that the Foxford Woollen Mills Visitor Centre is the ideal location for a lunch-stop with easy parking in the grounds plus all facilities under one roof.
Christmas Craft FairEach year the Foxford Woollen Mills Visitor Centre hosts a craft fair where locally produced handmade goods can be bought for very reasonable prices. An amazing variety of products are on display each year from wooden bowls and lamps to pottery ornaments, ironcraft, children's toys and Christmas decorations. This fair is held on the first weekend of December. |
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Opening Times
Last Tour commences 5.30pm Advanced booking is required for Groups Should you find that our opening hours do not suit a particular itinerary a quick phone call to us will organise a time more convenient for you. |
Foxford Visitor's Guide
Find out about places to visit in and around Foxford.
Hennigan's Open Farm and Heritage Centre
Hennigans Open Farm and Heritage Centre is just over 3 miles from Foxford, off the main Swinford Road. Amazingly, generations of the Hennigan family have survived here, on this farm of less than 10 acres of poorish land.for nearly 200 years.
Overlooking Creagaballa Lake the centre incorporates an authentic thatched house, an original farmhouse and theme farm where poultry and other farm animals roam freely.
Visitors can experience how people lived in a frugal self-sufficient community when work was hard and luxuries few. It is a revelation for the younger generations and an authentic experience of life and traditions in rural Ireland.
In the Heritage Centre you will experience the barter and meitheal systems used for survival by the people.
Fishing
Fish the river Moy which is known world wide for its huge quantities of salmon. Daily, weekly, and seasonal licences, and permits can be purchased from numerous out lets in the town. A ghillie service is also available.
Foxford Walks
86 km of way marked trail covering hills, bog land, mountain, and lakeshores and while walking you can enjoy the peace and beauty which surrounds Foxford. Cospair and Bord Failte approve the walks.
For more information click here
Admiral William Brown
Admiral William Brown was the founder of the Argentinean Navy; visit his birthplace, a small white washed cottage in Providence Rd. A bust of Admiral William Brown can be seen in Chapel Rd, it was presented to the people of Foxford by the Argentine Patriotic Association, it was unveiled in 1957 when the Argentine Navy visited Ireland for the centenary of Admiral William Browns death. The Brown Memorial Hall on Chapel Road was also built in his honour in 1930.
Davitt Museum
The village is the birth, eviction and burial place of Michael Davitt, the founder of the Irish Land League. Founded in 1870, the Land League changed Irish tenant farmers into owners of their land, and changed the face of modern Ireland.
The Michael Davitt Memorial Museum in Straide houses an extensive collection of documents, photos, prison records, police reports, Land Acts, letters, postcards, posters and other items belonging to one of Myos most famous sons.
The museum is open from 10 am to 6 pm, April to October.
Telephone : 094-31022 or visit the Davitt Museum website
Frederic Robert Higgins
The poet was born in Foxford in 1896; his main interest was in Irish folk tradition. Although he spent most of his life away from Foxford, the house where he was born still stands, and can be seen on Main Street. An annual festival celebrating his work takes place in Foxford in May.
Saint Michael and Mary Catholic Church
Built in 1879, and so named because it was the year of the Apparition at Knock. The father of the famous patriot Padraic Pearce made the altar. In the grounds of the church a large white crucifix marks the grave of Mother Agnes Morrogh Bernard, founder of the Woollen Mills.
The Church of Ireland
One of the oldest buildings in Foxford. Built in 1801 and stands at the top of Market Square. The tower was added in 1826 and the church and tower was plastered in 1939.
Bernie and Noel canavan
Knockmore,
Ballina
Co.Mayo
Tel:(094)9258240
Fax:(094)9258240
