Béal Easa: Woollen Mill History and Foxford Heritage Trail

This can help you decide whether industrial history, a town walk or getting out into the countryside matters most for your stay.

Foxford’s Woollen Mills and Their History

The Foxford Woollen Mills were founded in 1892. Today, they offer a free, 20-minute tour of the historic mill. The duration gives you a concrete point of reference when fitting a visit into your travel plans. As operational details may change, it is advisable to check the latest information before your visit.

The Foxford Café is also located in the Foxford Woollen Mills. It serves seasonal dishes made with locally sourced ingredients. The seasonal menu adds a culinary dimension to the mill’s history; if you plan to visit the café, it is worth checking the latest information about its offering.

A Walk Around Foxford

The Foxford Heritage Trail is a walking route through Foxford with 19 stops, where you can explore the town’s history. One stop is Saint Mary’s Convent Chapel, built in the Gothic Revival style in 1925. The Music School is also part of the trail; it was built by Mother Morrogh-Bernard in 1923. St. Michael and Mary Catholic Church dates from 1879, and Brown Memorial Hall was built in 1930 in honour of Admiral William Brown.

Other stops showcase the town’s architectural development. The Courthouse was built in the mid-19th century; Market Square was once the site of the Courthouse and the market. Brookside was established in 1852 as a former parish school and is considered an important part of Foxford’s mid-19th-century architectural heritage. The Convent, also known as Hope House, was remodelled in 1973, replacing the original building that the Sisters had occupied since 1891.

The area around the woollen mill is also part of the town’s history. Ball Alley was built in 1901 by the Sisters of Charity as a place of recreation for woollen mill employees. Providence Road was formerly called School Street; most of the houses there were built by the Sisters of Charity for woollen mill employees and schoolteachers. The poet and theatre director F. R. Higgins was born on 24 April 1896 in a small cottage beside Foxford’s Church of Ireland.

With 20 bronze plaques, the Admiral Brown Promenade tells the story of Brown’s life and the history of Foxford. At its centre is a statue of Brown created in Rosario, Argentina. The Foxford Heritage Trail brings sites like these together with other stops on a walking route, while the plaques along the promenade focus specifically on the stories of Brown and the town.

The River Moy and Routes Around Foxford

The River Moy flows through Foxford and is used for salmon fishing. Foxford Bridge stands at an old river ford. For another view of the landscape, take the Foxford Town Loop: the route follows the River Moy for part of the way and passes through quiet countryside. As trail conditions may change, it is best to check them before your visit.

For a longer hiking option, the Foxford Way is an 86-kilometre waymarked trail that circles Foxford. The options differ in format for travel planning purposes: the mill tour lasts 20 minutes, the Heritage Trail has 19 stops, and the Foxford Way is defined by its length. This lets you choose between a visit, a walk through the town’s history or a waymarked hiking trail. Check local trail conditions before setting out.

Discover more destinations: Ballina, Tawnyinah, Toormakeady, Aghamore, Crossmolina, Ross Port, Finny, Belmullet.

For the broader travel overview: County Mayo.