FoxfordFoxford at a Glance
Costs: Budget: $70-110 USD per day - affordable guesthouses and pub meals; car saves time and money.
Safety: Very safe, typical small Irish town - low crime; take normal care on narrow rural roads at night.
Best Time: Best months: May-September - warmer, longer days and peak fishing season.
Why Visit Foxford?
Tucked on the banks of the River Moy, Foxford attracts visitors for its woollen-mill heritage and angling on one of Ireland’s best salmon rivers. The restored Foxford Woollen Mills and museum explain the town’s textile tradition while local shops and cafés showcase tweed and knitwear. Travelers also come for gentle riverside walks, salmon fishing seasons on the Moy, and the quiet charm of Connacht’s stone bridges and traditional pubs.
Best Things to Do in Foxford
Lake
Lough Mask
Large limestone lake popular for trout fishing
Lake
Lough Conn
Large County Mayo lake renowned for salmon fishing
Religious Site
Knock Shrine
Major Catholic pilgrimage site and Marian apparition location
Mountain
Nephin
Isolated mountain massif in County Mayo, steep quartzite slopes
Mountains
Ox Mountains
Irish mountain range in County Sligo
Lake
Lough Carra
Shallow limestone lake in County Mayo
Lake
Lough Cullin
Lowland lake in County Mayo, trout fishing
Ruins
Moyne Abbey
Medieval Augustinian abbey ruins on Moyne River
Foxford Bucket List
Don't Miss
Foxford Woollen Mills Museum - Working woollen mill and museum with weaving demonstrations and a shop selling textiles.
River Moy riverside walks - Pleasant riverside paths along the River Moy popular for walking and salmon watching.
Foxford Bridge and town centre - Compact town centre with historic bridge, cafés and local craft shops to explore.
Hidden Gems
Foxford Way walking trails - Circular walking routes through farmland and riverside scenery around the Foxford area.
Mill Café at the Woollen Mills - Riverside café serving local produce and cakes inside the historic mill complex.
Local angling beats on the Moy - Managed salmon and trout fishing beats offering guided angling and scenic river access.
Day Trips
Achill Island - Wild Atlantic coastline, beaches and dramatic cliffs reachable by an hour-plus scenic drive.
Westport - Historic Westport town with cafés, shops, the Greenway and access to Clew Bay islands.
Nearby Cities #
Best Time to Visit Foxford
Foxford experiences a temperate oceanic climate with cool, wet winters and mild, changeable summers. Late spring and summer are best for long daylight, green scenery and outdoor walks.
Spring
Greening countryside, frequent showers and mild temperatures - great for riverside walks and fewer crowds, but expect sudden rain and muddy paths.
Summer
Mild, often breezy weather ideal for fishing, hikes and pubs’ outdoor seating; rain still possible, so bring a light waterproof and flexible plans.
Winter
Short, grey days with regular rain and strong winds; atmospheric but chilly, so plan cozy indoor stops and waterproof boots.
Foxford's climate is classified as Oceanic - Oceanic climate with cool summers (peaking in July) and cold winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from 2°C to 18°C. Abundant rainfall (1097 mm/year), wettest in November.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Poor | 2° - 8° | 1° | 115 mm | overcast | 91% | 5.5 m/s | 0.0 low | 7.9h |
| February | Poor | 2° - 8° | 1° | 78 mm | overcast | 90% | 5.4 m/s | 0.1 low | 9.6h |
| March | Acceptable | 3° - 10° | 3° | 94 mm | overcast | 88% | 5.4 m/s | 0.4 low | 11.7h |
| April | Acceptable | 4° - 12° | 5° | 61 mm | overcast | 86% | 4.7 m/s | 0.8 moderate | 13.8h |
| May | Acceptable | 7° - 15° | 11° | 74 mm | overcast | 84% | 4.6 m/s | 1.2 high | 15.7h |
| June | Good | 9° - 17° | 13° | 66 mm | overcast | 84% | 4.4 m/s | 1.4 high | 16.7h |
| July | Good | 11° - 18° | 15° | 65 mm | overcast | 86% | 4.2 m/s | 1.2 high | 16.2h |
| August | Good | 11° - 18° | 15° | 85 mm | overcast | 87% | 4.1 m/s | 1.0 moderate | 14.6h |
| September | Good | 9° - 16° | 13° | 98 mm | overcast | 87% | 4.6 m/s | 0.7 moderate | 12.5h |
| October | Acceptable | 7° - 13° | 10° | 118 mm | overcast | 89% | 4.9 m/s | 0.3 low | 10.4h |
| November | Acceptable | 4° - 10° | 4° | 123 mm | overcast | 91% | 4.9 m/s | 0.1 low | 8.4h |
| December | Poor | 3° - 9° | 2° | 120 mm | overcast | 92% | 5.1 m/s | 0.0 low | 7.3h |
How to Get to Foxford
How to Get Around Foxford
- Walking -
- Bus -
- Car / Taxi -
- Bicycle -
- Other -
Where to Stay in Foxford
Budget
Foxford - $50-120/night
Basic guesthouses and a handful of small hotels; many budget options are family B&Bs rather than chains.
Foxford Woollen Mills Hotel - Riverside hotel with spa and cafe.
The IceHouse Hotel (Ballina) - Modern riverside hotel in nearby Ballina.
Mid-Range
Ballina/Westport - $90-170/night
Comfortable small hotels and quality B&Bs; better mid-range choices are in Ballina or Westport.
The Wyatt (Westport) - Boutique option in nearby Westport.
Great National Hotel Ballina - Larger mid-range hotel about 20 minutes away.
Luxury
Westport/Connemara - $160+/night
No big luxury resorts in Foxford itself; upscale stays are in nearby coastal or county towns.
Mulranny Park Hotel (Westport area) - Full-service hotel with coastal location.
Killary Lodge (Connemara area) - Upscale country house stay in the region.
Where to Eat in Foxford
Breakdown of cuisine types found across Foxford’s restaurants and food venues, based on OpenStreetMap data.
Nightlife in Foxford
Evening life in Foxford is modest and focused on traditional pubs and community venues. You’ll find locals gathering in a few friendly bars where music and conversation are the main attractions; nightlife is quiet outside peak weekends and events.
Shopping in Foxford
Foxford’s standout shopping draw is the Foxford Woollen Mills visitor centre and factory shop, which sells blankets, scarves and Irish-made textiles. Aside from that there are small local shops, outdoor/fishing suppliers tied to the River Moy, and a couple of grocery stores for supplies.