County Longford

Bordered to the west by the River Shannon, Longford is a quiet farming county of rolling plains and picturesque stretches of water and is a focal point of the northern midlands where the provinces of Leinster, Ulster and Connaught meet.

Fishing opportunities around Lough Ree and Lanesborough make Longford attractive for anglers but walkers enjoy the extensive towpath along the Royal Canal while those interested in times past are drawn to the large portal dolmen at Aughnacliffe, which is thought to be 5000 years old. Elsewhere, visitors are attracted to charming villages and towns such as Ardagh, Abbeyshrule, Newtown Cashel, Ballymahon and Granard.

History and Heritage

After various Celtic kings and queens had ruled the area centuries ago, Longford came into being under the Tudors in 1547 and 250 years later it was the scene of some of the fiercest fighting in the 1798 Rebellion, notably the Battle of Ballinamuck.

Since then, Longford has been more associated with gentler things, such as being the inspiration for local writers of note, Oliver Goldsmith and Maria Edgworth (after whom the town of Mostrim was re-named Edgworthstown).

Of archaeological interest is the Irish timber trackway on view at the Corlea Trackway Visitor Centre south-west of Longford town while in the other direction is the 19th century Carrigglas Manor, an imposing Gothic manor house that includes a costume and lace museum.

Sites to see

Ardagh Visitor Centre, Corlea Trackway Visitor Centre, St.Mel’s Cathedral.

Sports and Leisure

Longford’s claim to fame in the area of sports and leisure is angling, with wonderful opportunities for coarse and game fishing on such places as Loughs Ree, Forbes and Gowna and the River Inny.

The loughs are ideal for boating, canoeing and swimming but they are also popular with ornithologists because of the various species of wildfowl such as wigeons, golden-eyes, white-fronted geese and wild swans.

Eat, Drink and Stay

The best places to eat in Longford are all based in the county town itself and include Aubergine Gallery Café, Chilli Pepper’s Café, Ilia A Coffee Experience and the Torc Café, as well as the Longford Arms Hotel and the Viewmount Country House on the Dublin Road.

Festivals

May: Lanesborough Water Festival

June: Classic Plants Festival

July: Longford Summer School

September: Johnny Keenan Banjo Festival

November: Sean Og Set Dancing Festival

Things you have to see or do...

Ardagh Visitor Centre – which draws on the rich fabric of Ardagh life down through the ages
Corlea Trackway Visitor Centre - an Iron Age bog road

Bog Oak Sculptures – Newtowncashel

Midland Go-Karting – located on five acres of ground

St.Mel’s Cathedral – erected in the 19th century

Corn Hill – the county’s highest point

Abbeyshrule Aerodrome – pleasure flights

Longford Megabowls – located on the Athlone Road

Useful links

Laois Tourism www.longford.ie

Longford Live www.longfordlive.com