Foxford Woollen Mill is a working mill in Foxford, County Mayo. Mother Agnes Morrogh-Bernard, an Irish nun, founded it in 1892 to improve people's livelihoods and the prospects of the area, and the mill says it has supported the community around it ever since.
The mill's own history tells how Michael Davitt, the Irish political leader, connected Mother Agnes with John Smith, a Protestant mill owner from County Tyrone, who partnered with her to build it. In its first 90 years the business employed 220 people, and in the early days it made mainly rugs and woven cloth.
The history also notes that the fabric for every Garda uniform in the state was once made at Foxford, and that a buzzer on the mill clock served as the village's alarm. When the mill gates closed in 1987, a local man, Joe Queenan, was among those who kept it open.
Groups and individuals can take a guided tour, where the mill's guides tell the story of a century of manufacturing and craftsmanship. The mill invites visitors to explore 130 years of heritage and craft.
Tours run on weekdays and must be booked ahead. Check the official website for current tour times before you visit.