County Longford is a county situated in the far west of the province of Leinster, joining Roscommon, Leitrim in Connaught and Offaly and Westmeath to the south and east. Agricultural activities include cattle and sheep rearing. Longford is an inland county of quiet farmlands most of them small holdings resulting in a lot of part-time farming and turf cutting in some areas. The land is brown and boggy, with occasional low hills and pleasant views of lakes and rivers. Longford's history is strongly associated with St Patrick and for centuries it was the centre of power of the O'Farrell family whose 15th century fortress once stood in Longford town
Longford Town and the surrounding villages remain virtually untouched by mass development and the area still remains a welcoming and rural charm. The Corlea Trackway Visitor Centre is located near to Longford, in Kenagh. The Centre houses an Iron Age bog road which was built in the year 148 BC across the bog lands in proximity to the River Shannon. The oak road is the largest of its kind to have been uncovered in Europe and is specially preserved in climate controlled buildings. The Irish Heritage Service has carried out conservation work on the surrounding bog to ensure that it remains wet and that the buried road is preserved. There are other historical artifacts and some exhibits at the centre.
St. Mel's Cathedral in the town features several stained glass windows by the famous designer, Harry Clarke. These include one of his earliest works, The consecration of St. Mel as Bishop of Longford which was exhibited at the RDS Annual Art Industries Exhibition in 1910, where it received second prize. It was also exhibited at The Arts and Crafts Society of Ireland fourth exhibition in the same year.
The River Shannon is a source of amenities for walking, sailing and fishing and the towns of Lanesboro and Balymahon benefit from the tourist, but not to the degree of their neighbouring counties of Leitrim and Roscommon. Hotel accommodation is adequate if not plentiful. Longford is a good basic shopping town and the entire county has a quiet and homely feel to it.
|
