The Irish name for Foynes is Faing, meaning a raven. It is possible that the English form Foynes, came from Faing Inis, Raven Island. The name Foynes first applied only to the island in the harbour.

In 1587 William Trenchard, a native of Wiltshire, England was given a grant of 14,000 acres of land in west Limerick that included the Foynes area. They lived in Corgrigg castle, about a few miles from Foynes. A large part of the massive structure still survives. In 1837, it was known as Congreiff and was one of the principle seats of Robertstown parish.

In 1866, Foynes is mentioned as being a village.

In 1836 Foynes was selected as the packet station for all transatlantic voyages. The battery of twenty-four guns which had been erected on the island to protect its inhabitants was no longer in use.

The west pier was erected as part of the Famine Relief Scheme in 1847. This was a joint undertaking by the Spring-Rice family and the Commissioners of Public Works. They both shared the cost of £10,000. On July 1920 the Black and Tans burned the co-operative creamery in Foynes as a reprisal for the I.R.A. (Irish Republican Army) killing of Constable Fahey of the R.I.C. (Royal Irish Constabulary) in an ambush near Loghill.

When Foynes became Ireland's first transatlantic air base, Pan American, the British Overseas Airway Corporation and the American Export airlines, used it as an air terminus for the duration of World War II.

Foynes has large oil-storage installations. Vessels of 22,000 tons can be accommodated in its deep-water anchorage. In the past fifty years, the port has been improved. Present trade consists of the export lead/zinc, frozen meat and moss peat. The imports are coal, fertilisers, animal feeds and chemicals.

A museum has been opened to commemorate the Flying Boat years. An Irish Coffee Festival is held each summer.

St. Patrick's Well in the townland of Knockpatrick, two miles from Foynes. Rounds are still made formally. There was a large pattern on the 17th March. The water reputedly cures sore eyes and other ailments.

Legend: A druid tried to poison St.Patrick here. The Saint left a gold cup at the well. A pilgrim unable to see his own reflection in the well was dead within the year. It is said to be a very bad omen.