This tranquil slice of Ireland is located in the centre of the Midlands, along a variety of rivers and lakes that offer paradise for anglers of every type. In addition to rural relaxation, County Longford is also host to a…
Royal Canal
The Royal Canal is 90 miles long, extending from Dublin to Tarmonbarry. It has 46 locks and cuts through Dublin, Westmeath, Kildare, Meath and Longford Counties, taking a path filled with breathtaking natural beauty.
Although scenic, the Royal…
The Shannon River
The Shannon is the longest river in all of the British Isles, and runs from County Cavan to Limerick, where it merges with the sea. As it crosses Ireland, the Shannon travels along the western border of County Longford.…
Abbeylara
The word Abbeylara means abbey of the ‘little rath’. Its monastic buildings were completed in 1214 with the support of the Tuite family. Sir Richard Tuite was buried at the site.
Many stone circles were erected in the…
Ballymacrolly Hill
This hill is the site of an old corn mill that survives from the 11th century. It was central to the agricultural life of the local people for centuries. Also on the site is a mill pond and brewery.
Saint’s Island
On Saint’s Island, visitors can see the ruins of an Augustinian monastic community from the 14th century. Augustain Magraidin was its most famous abbott at a time when it was a regional centre for learning.
Aughacliffe
At Aughacliffe stand the remains of a portal tomb, where ancient stones are stacked upon each other in a precarious balancing act. It is located in a hollow, as are most of the dolmens found in Ireland.
The…
Abbeyshrule Cistercian Abbey
The ruins of the Cistercian Abbey at Abbeyshrule were once part of a much larger community of buildings, not visible today except for the outline stones of quite a few foundations. This was the first Cistercian site in Longford…
Granard Motte
This primitive structure at Granard consists of a huge mound of earth with a flat top and a hollow interior. It is believed to have been used as a storage facility, possibly for grain or perhaps even gold treasure.…
Clonofin Monument
The Clonofin Monument, located at Clonofin, Ballinalee, in County Longford, is dedicated to the North Longford Flying Column, a group of soldiers who fought during the Irish War for Independence in the early 1920’s. They were led by General Sean…