The branch runs from Manulla Junction on the Dublin Heuston to Westport railway line, to the town of Ballina via Foxford.

There are also several freight services carrying timber or containers from the branch which run to Waterford.

The line was opened on 19 May 1873 and was originally operated by the Midland Great Western Railway.

[3] From 1945 the line passed to the nationalised CIÉ then to its successor Iarnród Éireann.

The McCarthy Report, published in 2009, recommended the closure of the branch along with scrapping the plans for the Western Railway Corridor.