Irish Weaving Heritage Since 1892 

There's something profoundly moving about holding a piece of textile that's been woven in the same place for over 130 years. Foxford Woollen Mills represents exactly that kind of continuity. A Mayo business sitting on the banks of the River Moy that's survived recessions, wars and economic upheaval by staying true to quality and community. We've been stocking their work at Quinlan's for good reason we wanted to properly introduce you to the story behind one of Ireland's most respected textile makers.

 

The Story Behind Foxford Woollen Mills

Foxford's story is uniquely Irish born from hardship, sustained by determination, and defined by an unwavering commitment to doing things properly.

The mill was established in 1892 by Mother Agnes, a visionary nun who stood on a bridge in Foxford and imagined a future built on community and craftsmanship. Foxford Woollen Mill, as it was then known, was founded as a means of improving people's livelihoods during one of Ireland's most difficult periods. This wasn't charity. It was dignified work, skilled craft and a way for the community to support itself through genuine employment.

That founding principle has never changed. Over 130 years later, Foxford still operates in County Mayo, still employs over 70 people (the majority from the surrounding area) and still weaves using traditional techniques on the banks of the River Moy. The business has survived two world wars, economic recessions, the decline of manufacturing and the rise of cheap mass production. It's survived because it never compromised on quality or community.

What's remarkable is that Foxford didn't just survive it thrived. While other textile mills closed, Foxford adapted without abandoning its principles. They modernized their techniques while keeping the craft alive. They expanded their market while staying rooted in their place. They built a global reputation for excellence while remaining stubbornly committed to making things in Ireland, in Mayo, by Irish hands.

That's not accident. That's choice. Every single year, Foxford chooses to make textiles the right way rather than the cheap way. Every year, they choose to keep people employed in Mayo rather than outsourcing to cheaper labour. Every year, they choose quality over volume.

The people who work at Foxford aren't anonymous factory workers. Many have family histories at the mill.. their parents, grandparents, sometimes great-grandparents worked there. It's a business woven into the fabric of Mayo's identity.

What Foxford Actually Makes

Foxford creates textiles across several categories, each one representing their commitment to quality:

• Throws and Blankets: Their signature offering, with collections named after Irish places and landscapes—Skellig, Connemara, Lismore, Kinsale, and many more. These aren't thin, flimsy blankets that fall apart after a few washes. Foxford throws are substantial, warm, and genuinely beautiful. They're made from lambswool, mohair, or blends of cashmere and lambswool. People buy them once and keep them for life—often passing them down.
• Bed Linen: Irish linen and wool blends created for comfort and longevity. These are items for people who care about sleep quality and don't mind investing in bedding that will last.
• Home Accessories: Scarves, cushion covers, and other homeware—all made with the same commitment to quality as their larger pieces. Every item is woven with care.
• Bespoke Collections: Foxford will work with customers or businesses on custom orders, creating pieces tailored to specific needs or aesthetics.
• Heritage Collections: They maintain classic designs that have been part of their range for decades, honouring their history while creating products people love.

Every single piece carries the Foxford name because Foxford stands for something specific: Irish craft, quality materials, timeless design, and genuine durability.

The Creative Process: From Bean to Finished Piece

Understanding how Foxford makes textiles explains why their products are so different from mass-produced alternatives.

• Fibre Selection: Foxford sources quality wool from Australia and New Zealand specifically four varieties they've developed relationships with over decades. These aren't the cheapest fibres available. They're premium materials selected based on quality, longevity, and how they'll perform over years of use.
• Spinning: The wool is sent to specialist spinners in the UK and Ireland, who transform the raw fleece into yarn to Foxford's exacting specifications. This tight-knit supply chain is something Foxford is genuinely proud of it keeps production connected to skilled craftspeople across the UK and Ireland.
• Design: Each collection is thoughtfully designed. Foxford doesn't chase trends. Instead, they create patterns and colours inspired by Irish landscapes and heritage that will still look beautiful in 20 years. The Irish place names in their collections Skellig, Connemara, Lismore, Kinsale reflect this deep connection to Ireland.
• Weaving: This is where Foxford's expertise truly shows. Their looms in Mayo produce textiles using techniques refined over 130 years. The weaving process is labour-intensive and time-consuming there's no shortcut to creating properly woven fabric. Each piece is woven with attention to tension, pattern, and quality by skilled weavers in Mayo.
• Finishing: Once woven, the textiles go through finishing processes that set the dye, enhance the feel, and ensure they'll hold up to regular use. This is where mass producers cut corners. Foxford doesn't.
• Quality Control: Every piece is inspected. Foxford's reputation depends on consistency, so they check every throw, every blanket, every accessory to ensure it meets their standards.

What emerges is textile that's noticeably better than mass-produced alternatives. The weight is right. The colours are rich. The drape is beautiful. The durability is genuine.

Why We Stock Foxford at Quinlan's

We started stocking Foxford because we wanted to offer our customers textile that represented genuine Irish excellence. Foxford isn't just an Irish brand it's an authentically Irish business making textiles in Ireland using Irish craftsmanship.

What we particularly appreciate is their refusal to compromise. In an industry where cutting costs is constant pressure, Foxford has chosen to keep making things properly. That takes conviction. That deserves support.

Customer response has been overwhelmingly positive. People buy Foxford throws and understand immediately why they cost what they do. The quality is obvious from the moment you hold it. These aren't budget items they're investments in textiles that will genuinely last for decades.

Foxford also works beautifully across different occasions. A throw makes a stunning wedding gift, a meaningful retirement present, a housewarming that actually gets used. They're substantial enough for milestone occasions but practical enough for everyday use.

What we love most is that Foxford proves that traditional craft can thrive in modern Ireland. They're not a museum piece or a heritage brand coasting on nostalgia. They're a living, working business creating products people genuinely want to own and use.

The Irish Connection

For people looking for authentic Irish textiles not imported products with Irish branding, but actual Irish craft made by Irish hands in Ireland Foxford is the real thing.

This also makes Foxford particularly meaningful as a gift. When you give someone a Foxford throw, you're not just giving them beautiful textiles. You're giving them a piece of Irish heritage, Irish craft, and Irish values. You're supporting a business that's kept traditional skills alive while proving they have genuine contemporary value.

Supporting Irish Makers

When you buy Foxford Woollen Mills textiles, you're supporting:

• A business that's been operating in County Mayo for 130+ years
• Over 70 people employed in the mill and surrounding area
• Genuine Irish textile craftsmanship and expertise
• Irish employment and economic sustainability in rural Mayo
• A business that's chosen quality over cost-cutting
• Traditional weaving skills kept alive in modern Ireland
• Authentic Irish heritage expressed through contemporary textiles
• A tight-knit supply chain connecting Irish weavers with specialist spinners in the UK and Ireland

In a world of globalized manufacturing and outsourced production, Foxford represents something different. They're proving that traditional craft can thrive when quality is prioritized over profit margins. They're keeping skills alive. They're maintaining community. They're creating textiles that will outlast fast fashion by decades.

Shop Foxford at Quinlan's

Investment pieces for living well. Because some textiles deserve to last a lifetime.

Browse our Foxford collection →

Occasions Where Foxford Makes Perfect Gifts

• Weddings: A Foxford throw marks the occasion and becomes part of their new home for decades. Their cashmere and lambswool blends are particularly luxurious for this milestone.
• Retirements: Substantial enough to honour years of work. Practical enough for their new life of leisure. A throw they'll use and treasure daily.
• Housewarmings: Especially when someone's setting up a new home, a Foxford throw adds warmth and quality from day one. The lambswool throws offer excellent value for this occasion.
• Milestone Birthdays: For significant birthdays (30th, 40th, 50th), a Foxford textile marks the occasion with something genuinely lasting.
• Anniversaries: A beautiful throw celebrates longevity in the relationship and in the textile itself.
• New Parents: A Foxford blanket for a baby's room is a gift that will be used, treasured, and potentially passed down to the next generation.
• Corporate Gifts: For businesses wanting to give something substantial and Irish-made to clients or staff. Foxford offers corporate gifting options.
• Self-Indulgence: Sometimes the best gift is the one you give yourself. A Foxford throw is permission to invest in quality comfort for your home.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long do Foxford textiles last?

Foxford textiles are designed and made to last for decades with proper care. Many customers report owning the same throw for 20+ years. These aren't fashion items meant to be replaced—they're investments in textiles built for longevity. Proper care (gentle washing, regular use) actually helps them last longer, often improving with age.

Is Foxford Woollen Mills still family-owned?

Foxford Woollen Mills maintains its commitment to quality craftsmanship and community employment that was established when it was founded in 1892. The business has evolved over 130+ years while staying true to its founding principles of quality, Irish craft and employment in County Mayo. It remains dedicated to supporting the local community and maintaining traditional weaving skills.

About Quinlan's Gift Shop

Quinlan's Gifts has been bringing quality Irish and international gifts to customers since 1988. We work directly with makers like Foxford to bring you authentic, craft products that represent genuine Irish excellence.

Explore our Irish Gifts Collection →