Foxford
| Foxford Béal Easa | |
|---|---|
| Map | |
| Town population: | 944 (2002) |
| Rural population: | N/A |
| Elevation: | 48m |
| County: | Mayo |
| Province: | Connacht |
Foxford (Béal Easa in Irish) is a small town some 16 km south of Ballina in County Mayo.
Situated between the Nephin and Ox mountains, Foxford stands on the River Moy, one of Europe's most famous Salmon-fishing rivers, and close to Loughs Conn and Cullin, famous for their Brown Trout. The Foxford Way is an 86-km waymarked tourist trail which circles Foxford, taking in the Ox Mountains, boreens, boglands, archeological sites, lakeshores, and river banks.
The town stands on the N26 national primary route from Swinford to Ballina and has a railway station served by trains between Dublin and Ballina.
Foxford grew up around the eponymous Woollen Mills which have been producing the famous Foxford blankets since 1892. The town is also the birthplace of Admiral William (Guillermo) Brown, founder of the Argentinian Navy. Busts of Admiral Brown, born on 22 June 1777, have been erected in both Buenos Aires and Foxford.
The poet and theatre director F. R. Higgins (1896 - 1941) was another son of Foxford.
In the vicinity, the Straide Museum honours and commemerates the life and works of Michael Davitt born there, labour agitator, social campaigner and founder of the Irish Land League.