Foxford Travel Guide

City Town on River Moy in County Mayo

River Moy currents shape Foxford, known for salmon runs and the Foxford Woollen Mills visitor shop; anglers come for the fishing, walkers for riverbank trails and everyone for woollen scarves and a decent cup of tea.

Main image
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.
Time
Weather
Population
1,315
Infrastructure & Convenience
Few buses; compact town center and English everywhere.
Popularity
Quiet town popular with anglers and heritage visitors.
Known For
salmon fishing, Foxford Woollen Mills, River Moy, scenic riverside walks, Irish pubs, rural landscapes, angling, wool products, local history, trout fishing
Foxford is home to the Foxford Woollen Mills, producing tweeds and blankets since 1892.

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.

Top Things to Do in Foxford

All Attractions ›
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.

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
March - May · 5 - 14°C (41 - 57°F)
Greening countryside, frequent showers and mild temperatures - great for riverside walks and fewer crowds, but expect sudden rain and muddy paths.
Summer
June - August · 12 - 19°C (54 - 66°F)
Mild, often breezy weather ideal for fishing, hikes and pubs' outdoor seating; rain still possible, so bring a light waterproof and flexible plans.
Winter
December - February · 1 - 8°C (34 - 46°F)
Short, grey days with regular rain and strong winds; atmospheric but chilly, so plan cozy indoor stops and waterproof boots.

Best Time to Visit Foxford #

Climate

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.

Best Time to Visit
JuneJulySeptember
Temperature & Rainfall
Temperature Range
27°
Warmest Month
-5°
Coldest Month
Monthly Conditions

January

January is the coolest month with highs of 8°C and lows of 2°C. Significant rainfall (115 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

42 Poor

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
91%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

115 mm
Rainfall
5.5 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.0
UV Index
Low
7.9h daylight

February

February is cold with highs of 8°C and lows of 2°C. Moderate rainfall (78 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

44 Poor

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
90%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

78 mm
Rainfall
5.4 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.1
UV Index
Low
9.6h daylight

March

March is cold with highs of 10°C and lows of 3°C. Regular rainfall (94 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

52 Acceptable

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
10°
88%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

94 mm
Rainfall
5.4 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.4
UV Index
Low
11.7h daylight

April

April is cold with highs of 12°C and lows of 4°C. Moderate rainfall (61 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

54 Acceptable

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
12°
86%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

61 mm
Rainfall
4.7 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.8
UV Index
Moderate
13.8h daylight

May

May is cool with highs of 15°C and lows of 6°C. Moderate rainfall (74 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

56 Acceptable

Comfort

11°
Feels Like Cool
11°C
Temperature
15°
84%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

74 mm
Rainfall
4.6 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.2
UV Index
High
15.7h daylight

June

June is cool with highs of 17°C and lows of 9°C. Moderate rainfall (66 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

62 Good

Comfort

13°
Feels Like Cool
13°C
Temperature
17°
84%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

66 mm
Rainfall
4.4 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.4
UV Index
High
16.7h daylight

July

July is cool with highs of 18°C and lows of 11°C. Moderate rainfall (65 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

62 Good

Comfort

15°
Feels Like Cool
15°C
Temperature
11° 18°
86%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

65 mm
Rainfall
4.2 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.2
UV Index
High
16.2h daylight

August

August is cool with highs of 18°C and lows of 11°C. Regular rainfall (85 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

60 Good

Comfort

15°
Feels Like Cool
15°C
Temperature
11° 18°
87%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

85 mm
Rainfall
4.1 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.0
UV Index
Moderate
14.6h daylight

September

September is cool with highs of 16°C and lows of 9°C. Regular rainfall (98 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

62 Good

Comfort

13°
Feels Like Cool
13°C
Temperature
16°
87%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

98 mm
Rainfall
4.6 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.7
UV Index
Moderate
12.5h daylight

October

October is cool with highs of 13°C and lows of 7°C. Significant rainfall (118 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

52 Acceptable

Comfort

10°
Feels Like Cool
10°C
Temperature
13°
89%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

118 mm
Rainfall
4.9 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.3
UV Index
Low
10.4h daylight

November

November is cold with highs of 10°C and lows of 4°C. The wettest month with heavy rain (123 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

50 Acceptable

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
10°
91%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

123 mm
Rainfall
4.9 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.1
UV Index
Low
8.4h daylight

December

December is cold with highs of 8°C and lows of 3°C. Significant rainfall (120 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

42 Poor

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
92%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

120 mm
Rainfall
5.1 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.0
UV Index
Low
7.3h daylight

How to Get to Foxford

By Air
By Train & Bus

How to Get Around Foxford #

Foxford is a small, walkable town - most sights and shops are within easy walking distance of the centre. For exploring County Mayo and surrounding villages a car is handy and gives you the most flexibility. Regional buses serve Foxford and link it with nearby towns like Ballina and other parts of Mayo; services are useful but not as frequent as urban public transport. Taxis and local transfers are available but may require advance booking on weekends.

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.
Mid-Range
Ballina/Westport - $90-170/night
Comfortable small hotels and quality B&Bs; better mid-range choices are in Ballina or Westport.
Luxury
Westport/Connemara - $160+/night
No big luxury resorts in Foxford itself; upscale stays are in nearby coastal or county towns.

Where to Eat in Foxford #

Breakdown of cuisine types found across Foxford's restaurants and food venues, based on OpenStreetMap data.

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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.

Nearby Cities #