County Longford
County Coat of Arms & Motto
The County of Longford, as is with every county in Ireland, has its own distinct Coat of Arms.
It is a heraldic design, which graphically symbolizes the personality and identity of the county.
The field colours of azure blue and amber (gold) suggest the county’s Shannonside location.
While the main feature of the shield, a twin towered castle, alludes to the O’Farrell Fortress from which the town of Longford grew.
The hound as the crest mirrors that of the Uí Fhearghail commemorating the clans distinct connection with the county.
Heritage
Longford has a fascinating and ancient heritage, a past which reaches much further back in time than its relatively modern connections to the Uí O Fhearghails.
There are numerous archaeological sites and monuments throughout the county which have left impressive, and intriguing, reminders of the different phases of its history.
Prehistoric monuments include portal tombs at Aughnacliff and Clenrath, stone circles at Granard and many other lesser-known archeological sites of interest.
The extraordinary Corlea Bog Trackway, dated to 148 BC, connected to the unique mythology of the county and some of Irelands earliest inhabitants, has an incredible story to tell.
Early church and monastic sites include the impressive Ardagh, founded by Saint Patrick and stewarded by St Mel and St Brigid.
The Anglo Norman Motte and Bailey site at Granard is one of the finest of its type in Ireland, and there are remains of Medieval Monasteries and Gaelic tower houses, many of which belonged to the Úi Fhearghails.
Throughout the county there are also many significant eighteenth and nineteenth century estate houses including Newcastle, Ledwithstown and Castleforbes, fine churches of various denominations, as well as political and military sites associated with pivotal episodes in Irish history.
Further Information on all these places of interest is available on the Longford Tourism website.
Culture
Our county boasts a vibrant music, arts and culture scene with a talented community of musicians, writers and artist. We are home to some of the country’s top Irish country music stars, as well as a host of young and emerging musical talents in varying genres. The county is also a haven for writers and artists of all kinds, many of whom have moved to Longford from elsewhere, craving the rural peacefulness of the area.
Food is of course also important to both locals as well as visitors, so you’ll find a variety of cafés, bars and restaurants all catering to a diversity of taste buds. This heartland region is renowned for its locally grown artisan produce which can be purchased at local weekend markets around the county.
A full calendar of events, festivals and musical gigs takes place throughout the year, supported, and encouraged by our local communities who love nothing better than a reason to celebrate. We have an increasing number of outdoor events while the theatres, community and visitor centers play host to all manner of cultural events and gatherings.
If sitting around a turf fire singing songs and storytelling is the Irish experience you dream of, then simply make friends with any of the locals and you could find yourself the guest of the moment in someone’s home. We’re a very welcoming people!
Longford Musicians – A Song for Longford.
Community
Longford is the fourth-smallest county in the country, with a population of 43,000, (Census 2016).
It has a young and growing population with a total of 12,528 children and young people living in the county.
In addition, it has one of the highest birth rates, as well as the highest proportion of Traveller and non-national children in the country.
We have therefore some of the most diverse communities in the country for such a small place.
This cultural diversity has helped breathe new life into Longford and create an interesting, family friendly county, with a young and talented force leading the way forward.
Our diverse culture flourishes due to being shared in communities where people gather to celebrate, to sing, story tell, play music, dance, or create art of one form or another.
Our local authorities development strategies and plans for placing culture and creativity center to our lives, has ensured we are continually changing and evolving as a county and a collection of communities.
The Farrells of Longford play an important role in this evolution, via their businesses, engagement in community groups and organization’s, with festivals and events, through voluntary participation and through the international promotion of our Farrell Clan rally.
Tourism
Longford may well be one of the smallest counties in Ireland but what it lacks in land, it makes up for in attitude and activities.
The Royal Canal, Lough Ree, The River Shannon, and the many rivers and lakes of the county provide endless opportunities for water-based adventures, while the Royal Canal Greenway, alongside a diversity of cycle routes, are a constant encouragement to experience outdoor life in Ireland.
You can also enjoy horse rising, golfing, pitch and putt or for the more adventurous indulge in a pleasure flight or lesson at the Midlands only airport.
Our unique biodiversity, and positioning within Irelands Hidden heartlands region, make it a perfect escape to the country, nature-based retreat, for those with a love of unspoiled, natural and wilder landscapes.
Beautiful woodland walks, lake views, and large stretches of pristine bogland, provide fascinating grounds for exploration and observation of Irish flora and fauna.
The boglands, are a distinctive feature of the Irish heartland counties, and a valuable environmental habitat for rare wildlife.
Longford Tourism provide a great range of Tourism maps and brochures as well as a Tourism App to help with your visit to the county.
They also provide information on accommodation.
Farrell Clan County Map
Castles & Sites of Interest
