Foley House

Six generations of Declan Foley's descendants enjoyed the well-built home, made three bricks thick and of the best available materials.

Declan's move to Prescott, Ontario and his marriage to Mary Ann Buckly of the township of Beckwith, near Almonte in 1846 was the beginning of a new branch of the Foley family.

The Westport, Ontario waterfront had become a thriving commercial center, with the steam ships Rideau King [2] and Rideau Queen [3] ferrying people and supplies between Ottawa and Kingston a safe distance away from the St. Lawrence River and the perceived fear of American attack.

In 2001, the disheartening task of dispersing home and contents rested on the shoulders of Mrs. Ursula Gilhooly, great-granddaughter of Declan Finbar Foley, bringing to a close the era of an early settler and prominent founding family of Westport.

The well-built home, resting on a Canadian Shield granite base remains today in much the same condition as when it was built.

In 1866, within feet of the site of the Foley House, he is reported to have given an impassioned soap box speech in favour of confederation.