Longford
St Mel's Cathedral, rebuilt after the Christmas Day fire of 2009, is the town's landmark and its story of recovery. Longford is the county town of County Longford in the midlands.
County Longford
A low-key midlands county of bogs, lakes and the Royal Canal, with an Iron Age bog road at Corlea as its remarkable sight. Goldsmith and Edgeworth give it literary roots.
County Longford facts
- Province: Leinster
- County town: Longford
- Setting: Inland
- Touring region: Ireland's Ancient East
- Best for: history, family, hiking, scenic drives
- Places in the planner: 3
Farmland, bog and lakes fill this low-key north midlands county, with the River Shannon along its western border. Lough Ree touches its southwestern shore, and the Royal Canal crosses the county, giving walkers and cyclists a level, scenic route through it.
Longford's literary links run deep: Oliver Goldsmith was born in the county, and Maria Edgeworth's family home at Edgeworthstown shaped early Irish literature. The Corlea Trackway, a preserved Iron Age bog road, is the county's most remarkable sight, while quiet country roads and small towns define its unhurried character. Longford will not be the busiest stop on an Irish itinerary, and that is precisely its value: genuine small-town life, good-value stays, and heritage, from the Corlea bog road to Goldsmith's country, that you will often have almost to yourself.
Top sights in Longford
Corlea Trackway
A preserved Iron Age oak road across bogland, displayed in a visitor centre.
Lough Ree
One of the Shannon's great lakes, bordering the county near Lanesborough.
The Royal Canal Way
A towpath trail crossing the county between the Shannon and Dublin.
Edgeworthstown
Town associated with the writer Maria Edgeworth and her family.
Goldsmith Country
The south of the county celebrates Oliver Goldsmith, born at Pallas near Ballymahon.
Towns & cities in Longford
Longford Town
County town with a cathedral and market centre.
Ballymahon
Town on the River Inny near Goldsmith country.
Granard
Market town in the north of the county with a motte and market house.
Lanesborough
Shannon-side village at the northern end of Lough Ree.
Best time to visit
Spring to autumn suits canal walks, bog-centre visits and Lough Ree best. Longford is quiet in every season, and that is part of its appeal.
Getting there
Longford Town is on the Dublin–Sligo rail line and about ninety minutes northwest of Dublin by road. Dublin Airport is the main gateway.
Places for your trip
- Longford: St Mel's Cathedral, rebuilt after the Christmas Day fire of 2009, is the town's landmark and its story of recovery. Longford is the county town of County Longford in the midlands.
- Corlea Trackway: The Corlea Trackway is a preserved Iron Age bog road of oak timbers near Keenagh in County Longford.
- St Mel's Cathedral, Longford: St Mel's Cathedral in Longford is a 19th-century cathedral that was extensively restored after a fire in 2009.
What's on
No anchor festival is based here, but the Irish year is full: next up nationally is TradFest (20–24 Jan 2027, Temple Bar, Dublin). See the full events calendar
Nearby counties
County Roscommon
A quiet county between the Shannon and the west: Lough Key's forest park, Rathcroghan's royal landscape and castles without the crowds. The charm is the lack of hurry.
County Leitrim
Ireland's least populous county keeps things small and slow: lakes, the Shannon at Carrick and a coastline of just a few kilometres near Tullaghan. Come for the quiet.
County Westmeath
Lakes fill the middle of the county: Ennell, Owel and Derravaragh, with the Shannon and Athlone on the western edge. Belvedere's house and gardens are the set piece.
Part of Ireland's Ancient East.