Foynes is a town, an island and a harbour situated on the southern shore of the Shannon Estuary in the west of County Limerick and the N69 scenic driving route passes through the town. Foynes has a picturesque main street of limestone cut buildings.
The town has a major deepwater seaport, with capacity for very large vessels. This port is nationally significant as the second largest seaport in Ireland. There are also a number of other industries within the environs of the port.
Foynes is situated at the foot of mature forest slopes of Ballynacragga and Knockpatrick which help to give it shelter. To the north of the town is Foynes Island which forms a boundary to a deep water and sheltered channel, where the harbour is located.
Although a relatively new town dating from the mid 1900’s, Foynes has a rich maritime and aviation history and was once the last port of call on the eastern shore of the Atlantic for flying boats as it became the centre of the aviation world from 1939 to 1945.
Today Foynes has a world class Flying Boat Museum with exhibits a full size replica of the B314 flying boat, the town is also the birth place of the world famous Irish Coffee, which was first made here in 1942 for flying boat passengers.
Foynes has a variety of places to eat and drink, and there is a range of accommodation options in the local area. There is a modern children’s playground located beside the Community Centre that children of all ages can enjoy.
