The highest point in Longford is Carn Clonhugh (916 feet) one of a range of low round hills extending south-west from Lough Gowna on the County Cavan boarder. The county offers angling, hunting and shooting, and should interest the lover of literature in the association with Oliver Goldsmith, Maria Edgeworth, John Casey and Padraic Colum. The general aspect of the county of Longford, viewed from a height on a fine summers day, is inviting and pleasing. Taking one's stand on the summit of Lisduff, and looking due north, the visitor will see a deep rolling plain stretch out before him for a distance of perhaps ten kms. bounded by historic cairn Hill. On the right and left of this hill the country slopes down to a fertile level plain, beautifully wooded, through whch the Camlin flows to the Shannon. In a north eastern direction the rising country about Granard looms up in a succession of hazy hillocks, with bright green pastures and dark green plantations. Looking to the east is the view of Ardagh's woody heights, beyond which lies a lovely stretch of fertile country. Home of the Longford Slashers, the nickname given to this county's premier Hurling and Football team, Longford boasts a long shoreline with the river Shannon's largest Lake, Lough Ree, attracting thousands of visitors annually for fishing and especially for cruising on the Shannon. Maria Edgeworth, the 19th century author, hails from here, as does Lord Longford, one of England's more controversial peers. Oliver Goldsmith, the 18th century poet, also hailed from the south of the county. Ardagh House Ardagh, Longford . A focal point of the northern midlands where the provinces of Leinster, Ulster and Connaught all converge, Longford, where history and literature, tragedy and triumph are all woven together, takes its name from the ancient stronghold of the O'Farrell family (Long Fort - Fort of the O'Farrells). Bordered to the West by the majestic River Shannon, Longford is a county of rolling plains and picturesque stretches of water. The highest pint of the county, Cairn Hill, is only 279 m high, but from atop the summit glorious views in all directions are afforded. Lady Fetherstone's ancestral home was Ardagh House, situated to the north of the village and now a school of Rural Domestic Economy. It was here, in 1774, that a young Oliver Goldsmith swaggered and bragged in the mistaken belief that he had arrived at an inn. The landlord humoured him for the night, but Goldsmith's dismay on realising his mistake the following morning can be easily imagined. However, he later turned his embarrassment to advantage, the incident being central to his comedy She stoops to Conquer. Abbeyshrule Cistercian Abbey Abbeyshrule, Longford . Abbeyshrule is situated east of Ballymahon in a picturesque valley of the River Inny. A istercian Abbey was founded here in 1150 and was one of the earliest in the country following the success of the first foundation at Melifont in County Louth. The Abbey was founded by the O'Farrells and was eventually closed by Queen Elizabeth 1 during the Tudor suppression of the monasteries. The lands were granted to Robert Dillon, Earl of Roscommon. The adjoining graveyard contains part of the only high cross in County Longford. The Royal Canal passes through Abbeyshrule on its way from the Shannon to Dublin. Note the Whitworth aquaduct built in 1817 to carry the Royal Canal over the River Inny. Abbeyshrule is also associated with the Goldsmith Summer School. The only airfield in the midlands is located in Abbeyshrule with its 575 metre tarmac runway and each year its festival is a mecca for flying enthusiasts from home and overseas. Flying lessons are available throughout the year. Abbeylara Beside the village of Abbeylara 4km south-west (2.5 miles) of Granard and near the shore of Lough Kinale are the remains of a 13th century Cistercian abbey founded by an Anglo-Norman, Richard Tuite. It was plundered by Edward Bruce after the sacking of Granard. A semicircular earthwork north of the village is regarded locally as the site of the original church founded here by Saint Patrick about 460. From the shore of Lough Kinale, north-east of Abbeylara, parts of the ancient defensive earthwork known as the black Pig's Dyke extends north-westwards towards the shore of Lough Gowna. In the parish of Abbeylara there are two well preserved remains of stone circles. There are also in this area surviving traces of what appear to be megalithic burials. There is no doubt of the antiquity of these stone circles and of their importance as archaelogical remains of the Bronze Age period of our history. They stand as memorials to those who recognised the sun as the centre of the universe, the source of all life. Ballymahon Ballymahon is picturesquely situated on the River Inny near the heart of the Goldsmith country. In 960 Mahon, King of Thomond, defeated Fergal, son of Ruarc, King of Breifne and Connacht, near Ballymahon. The town has a fine wide main street, and has many associations with Oliver Goldsmith. The Ballymahon area is said to have had a seminal influence on Goldsmith and formed the inspiration for his future works. Ballymahon is also the centre of John Keegan "Leo" Casey country, and the River Inny and surrounding localities feature prominently in the poet's work. Edgeworthstown Edgeworthstown/(Mostrim) is a successful centre located on the N4. The town has a long association with the celebrated family of Edgeworth, who first settled here in 1583. The story of the Edgeworths is almost as entertaining as that of "Arabian Nights". Among the eminent members of the family were Richard Lovell Edgeworth, inventor and surveyor, "The ingenious Mr. Edgeworth", Desmond Clarke has entitled him in his fine biography. Of his twenty four children, Maria the novelist is best known for work such as "Castle Rackrent". Edgeworthstown House formed the centre of the cultivated Edgeworth circle which included the Pakenhams, Earls of Longford and the Lefroys, Chief Justices of Ireland. Maria was a friend of Sir Walter Scott, and it is said that her influence on his "Waverly" was considerable. In his preface to the work Sir Walter stated: "I feel that something might be attempted for my own country of the same kind as that which Miss Edgeworth so fortunately achieved for Ireland". The Abbe Edgeworth who attended Louis XVI on the scaffold during the French revolution and later escaped to Russia to tell the tale is a member of this family. Edgeworthstown House is now a nursing home being run by the Sisters of Mercy and is therefore in an excellent state of preservation. The Edgeworth family vault, in which Richard Lovell and Maria are interred, is in the churchyard of Saint John's. Isola Wilde, sister of Oscar Wilde is buried there too. A new visitor Centre is being developed in the town which will interpret the many famous people and events associated with the area. Granard Granard was the home of Kitty Kiernan. She was a girlfriend of Michael Collins and he was a frequent visitor at the Granard area. Their relationship was recreated in the recently released film "Michael Collins". "Black 47" as the great Famine is sometimes called had its effects on Granard. A large number of people died in the workhouse, now the site of the Secondary School in Barrack Street. A number of these unfortunate people were burried in a mass grave near Carra Church (known as "Bully's Acre") where a plaque was recently errected in their memory. In 1798 on the 5th September a fierce battle took place in Granard town when a number of insurgents attacked the local forces. The main fight took place in the Gortawillian Lane The insurgents were defeated and a large number executed and burried near the base of the Motte. North of Granard lies the village of Mullinalaghta near Lough Gowna. Derrycasson wood is on the shore of the lake and provides a scenic view from the car park at Dring. This is an ideal area for fishing, water activities and nature Lanesboro Lanesboro is in a pivoted position located on the river Shannon at the Northern entrance to Lough Ree. In ancient times Lanesboro was known by the Irish name Beal Atha Liag, which when translated means "Mouth of the Ford." The town of Lanesboro is called after the family name Lane who owned large tracts of land in the vicinity. The river divides Lanesboro from Ballyleague which is located in Co Roscommon. The first bridge across the river was made from wattles. In the year 1706 a stone bridge was built from the stones taken from Geoffrey Meares Norman Castle which stood where the car park is situated. The present bridge was built in 1847 and was updated in 1970. Lanesboro today has blossomed into a thriving little town with many facilities for visitors and locals alike. It has long been recognised as one of the foremost angling centres in Ireland. Cloontuskert Abbey may be seen in this area. This abbey was founded by Saints Brendan and Faithleach about AD520. Longford The county town of Longford and the progressive administrative centre of the county. The town is spaciously laid out with wide plesant streets. The town received its name from the ancient castle of the O'Farrells, Prince of Annaly who founded a Dominican Friary here in 1400. Longford, the county town, is on the south bank of the little Camlin River and on the Dublin-Sligo road. It was named after the ancient castle of the princes of Annaly, the O' Farrells, who also founded a Dominican priory in 1400. Neither building has survived, but there are slight remains of the castle erected by the 1st Earl of Longford in 1627 incorporated in the old military barracks. During the Confederate Wars of 1641 the castle was captured by the English, and later it withstood a siege of several weeks by Owen Roe O' Neil. Near the centre of the town is St Mel's Cathedral, a nineteenth-century Renaissance-style building of grey limestone. The saint's crosier is preserved in the diocesan museum at the rear of the cathedral. St Mel's College, the diocesan seminary, contains part of the library of Edgeworthstown House. The County museum containing many artefacts and providing a genealogical service is located in the old post office in the main street. Moyne A picturesque area not found on all tourist maps is Moyne, situated on the Longford-Cavan road, 12 km (7 miles) from Drumlish and close to the Cavan border. Rolling hills, bogland and a myriad of small fishing lakes are features. There is a new Community School opened in 1974 replacing the famous Latin school in which hundreds of missionary priests and a protestant bishop were educated. Newtowncashel The village of Newtowncashel has the unique distinction of having won both the National Tidy Towns Competition and the Nationwide CARE Award in 1980. Among its special features are stone walls built with artistry and the well kept Garda Station, Church, National School and Hertiage Centre. Recent highlights include a number of fine outdoor sculptures by bog-wood sculptor Michael Casey, which create a unique atomosphere in the village. There is an excellent view of the village, with the restored Abbey of Saints Island to the left, and Barley Harbour on the right. Elfeet Bay near Newtowncashel provides a pleasant amenity for walking, boating, picnicking and fishing along the Lough Ree shoreline The River Inny Flows through Lough Sheelin, Lough Kinale and Lough Derravaragh. The stretch just upstream from Finea has good stocks of Roach, especially in September-October period. The stretch from Finea to Derravaragh has some good Roach and Hybrid during the early part of the year. Ballymahon Festival Ms Maureen Curran, Ballymahon, Longford . The festival started in 1994 with sponsorship from Guinness and supported by local businesses and organisations. All are welcome to come and join in the fun. Ballymahon Festival is over days catering for all ages. Each night there is a free street concert featuring top International bands, a heritage day, senior citizen day, youth day of games, treasure hunt and fancy dress, street tug o war, exhibition of photographs and art. Ballymahon is in South Longford 10 miles from Dublin and Galway. It is situated on the picturesque River Inny which flows into the Shannon Waterway two miles south of the town. Granard Harp Festival Ms Ursula Ledwith, Coolarty, Granard, Longford . This festival takes place in early AUGUST. A focal point of the northern midlands where the provinces of Leinster, Ulster and Connaught all converge, Longford, where history and literature, tragedy and triumph are all woven together, takes its name from the ancient stronghold of the O'Farrell family (Long Fort - Fort of the O'Farrells). Bordered to the West by the majestic River Shannon, Longford is a county of rolling plains and picturesque stretches of water. The highest pint of the county, Cairn Hill, is only 279 m high, but from atop the summit glorious views in all directions are afforded. Renowned for its annual Harp Festival which every August draws hundreds of musicians to the area, Granard is a thriving market town near the Longford-Cavan border. The Harp Festival, which originated in 1781, was recently revived in 1981. |
Longford is an inland County of quiet farmlands and brown bog, with occasional low hills and pleasant views of lake and river. It is bordered by Counties Leitrim, Cavan, Westmeath and Roscommon - being separated from County Roscommon on the west by the River Shannon and its lakes.