Foxford Woollen Mills

Working woollen mill, visitor centre and craft shop. Superb daytime café upstairs serving a variety of light snacks, lunches, afternoon teas and refreshments.

Foxford Woollen Mill was established in 1892, founded by an Irish Sister of Charity. Mother Agnes Morrogh-Bernard had established a convent in Foxford the year previously.  With assistance from the Congested District Board, Mother Agnes established the mill which used water from the River Moy to supply its power.  Here the nuns worked with local people, and the mill soon became the main source of employment and business for the area.  In 1908, a fire burnt the building to a shell.  But out of the ashes it rose to become a working and prosperous mill once more.  Great milestones in the mill’s history followed.  The latest in 2007 was a complete revamp of its look and production style, which we think you’ll agree is thoroughly modern and contemporary.

Kathleen Lally is very proud to be Head Chef of the café at Foxford Woollen Mills.  Her ethos of using Irish suppliers and the best of local and organic ingredients produces a daily menu that changes with the seasons – and even the weather!  This lady is very influenced by how people eat, as well as what they want to eat.  That’s a great plus.  This is a chef inspired to take one look out of the window in the morning and see if it’s a soup day or a salad day in her head!  This is why Kathleen’s menu bounces with offbeat ideas.  The café is situated in the upstairs of the old mill, so its ambience reflects a time when the factory floor beneath would be buzzing to the sound of the looms.  The dining space here takes up most of the upper floor area, and still has its original windows and the old iron beams that support the ceiling.  These days, the simple white walls hide none of the original feel, but add to the lightness of space.  To the rear of the restaurant – the old Pattern room has original memorabilia and can host a small group or conference.  The Warehouse Office next door still has the original filing drawers and the workers ‘clock-in’ card holder- a perfect spot for six or eight people to gather for a private lunch or discussion group.  To the front of the room the self-serve counter and Foxford deli shop is the place to browse what’s on offer.  Then pick your table in the open place seating area, enjoy the food and soak up the history here with a glance through all the photographs displayed on the walls.

Staffs here are friendly and knowledgeable – inspired by Kathleen to learn all about the local produce used and what she has done with it in the kitchen.  There’s a lot to choose from and you’ll get a detailed explanation from the servers of each dish.  Savouries include a great choice of house salads, all made fresh each day and vibrantly appetising.  Hot dishes could be a big Roast Beef, individual Shepherd’s Pies, a Beef and Guinness stew or fragrant and meaty Lasagne.  Fish is treated very simply – Kathleen just gets what’s good and fresh, it could be whiting, plaice, salmon or cod,  and pan fries it with some lemon and seasoning or dresses it with one of her own home made sauces.  It comes with salad or a selection of hot vegetables.  There are lighter bites like tarts and quiches too, some featuring Irish farmhouse cheeses in the fillings.  Kathleen also has her own herb garden where she picks herbs freshly each day, to flavour and decorate all her kitchen creations.

If you’re just in for a quick cuppa and some cake – Kathleen excels in the home baking department!  We couldn’t pick and every one of her lovely cakes and gateaux had us drooling.  These are displayed on the self-serve counter and you won’t be able to pick either.  There could be a homely Coffee and Walnut Cake, a luxury Chocolate Cake, or a Carrot and Hazelnut cake.  Or maybe a zingy Lemon Tart, tropical Mango and Passion fruit Cheesecake or a Fresh Fruit Flan with cream.  The counter also heaves with breads and scones which prove popular with local customers who buy them to take home.  For drinks, you can have a pot of Foxford Woollen Mills own Blend Tea, or a sip from the excellent Kardemumma Teas from Sligo.  There is a choice of coffees too, plus soft drinks and Irish Apple Juice.

In the deli area, much shelf space is taken up with Kathleen’s own homemade pestos, sauces, jams and chutneys.  We don’t know how she finds time to do all those as well as run the lively café but she’s a little genius we think!  Find a good selection if Irish produce here as well to compliment the homemade range – sauces, chocolates and speciality goods as well as continental oils and mustards.  Hampers can be made to order, or you can choose from one of the smaller ready made up ones which make perfect gifts for those back home.

Downstairs, a browse of the shop area will reveal lots of lovely home spun gifts straight from the looms.  Throws, blankets and scarves are just some of the things they make.  The visitor tour of the loom area downstairs gives a real insight into the working practices of days gone by, and a talk on the history of the mill.  All in all, a pretty cracking venue for a day out – especially with the added bonus of the gourmet offerings of a wonderful chef.  

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Contact Details

To Contact a Member Directly, please click on the email or website below

Foxford Woollen Mills
Foxford
Co Mayo
+353 (0) 94 9256104
Email: info@foxfordwoollenmills.ie
Web: www.foxford.ie

 

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