Longford

This article is about the Irish town. For other uses, see Longford (disambiguation).

Longford An Longfort
Town
St Mel's Cathedral, Longford
Longford Location in Ireland
Coordinates: 53°43′37″N7°48′00″W / 53.727°N 7.800°W / 53.727; -7.800
Country	Ireland
Province	Leinster
County	County Longford
Elevation	72 m (236 ft)
Population  (2022) [1]
• Rank	46th
•  Urban	10,952
Time zone	UTC±0 (WET)
• Summer (DST)	UTC+1 (IST)
Eircode routing key	N39
Telephone area code	043
Irish Grid Reference	N135750
Website	www.longford.ie

Longford (Irish : An Longfort) is the county town of County Longford in Ireland. It had a population of 10,952 at the 2022 census. ^[1] It is the biggest town in the county and about one third of the county's population lives there. Longford lies at the meeting of Ireland's N4 and N5 roads, which means that traffic travelling between Dublin and County Mayo, or north County Roscommon passes around the town. Longford railway station, on the Dublin-Sligo line, is used heavily by commuters.

History

The town is built at a fording point on the banks of the River Camlin (from Irish Camlinn, meaning 'crooked pool'), which is a tributary of the River Shannon. According to several sources, the name Longford is an Anglicization of the Irish Longphort , referring to a fortress or fortified house. ^{[2] [3]}

The area came under the sway of the local clan which controlled the south and middle of the County of Longford (historically called Anghaile or Annaly) and hence, the town was known as Longfort Uí Fhearghail (fort/stronghold of O'Farrell). ^[4]

A Dominican priory was founded there in 1400. St. John's Church of Ireland (formerly known as Templemichael Parish Church) was built on the site of the priory in 1710. ^[5]

Places of interest

Located to the south of Longford, in Keenagh, is the visitor centre of the Corlea Trackway. It houses a preserved 18-metre stretch of Iron Age bog road, which was built in c. 148 BC. There are also a number of portal dolmens located around Longford.

The town serves as the cathedral town of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Ardagh and Clonmacnoise. St Mel's Cathedral, ^[6] dedicated to Saint Mel, the founder of the diocese of Ardagh, was built between 1840 and 1856. It was designed by architect John Benjamin Keane, who also designed St Francis Xavier's Church on Gardiner Street in Dublin. St Mel's Cathedral features several stained glass windows by Harry Clarke studios. These include one of Clarke's 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. The cathedral was extensively damaged in a fire on Christmas Day 2009. ^[7] It remained closed for five years after the fire, while it was the centre of one of the largest restoration projects undertaken in Europe. It reopened for services at midnight mass on Christmas Eve 2014 and has since become a tourist attraction. Two of the intricate stained-glass windows in the transepts of the cathedral, depicting St Anne and the Resurrection, have been restored.^{[ citation needed ]}

Longford town has a 212-seat theatre called Backstage Theatre just outside of the town, and a four-screen multiplex cinema, with restaurants. The Irish Prison Service HQ, which is in the Lisnamuck area of the town, has a sculpture by artist Remco de Fouw, which is one of the largest pieces of sculpture in Ireland.^{[ citation needed ]}

In a 2003 Guardian article about Patrick McCabe, Longford's "features of distinction" are described as including "a hulking cathedral, a rash of fast-food joints, a grubby cinema and a shopping mall". ^[8]

Historical population

Year	Pop.	±%
1813	3,062	—
1821	3,783	+23.5%
1831	4,516	+19.4%
1841	4,966	+10.0%
1851	4,467	−10.0%
1861	4,819	+7.9%
1871	4,375	−9.2%
1881	4,380	+0.1%
1891	3,827	−12.6%
1901	3,747	−2.1%
1911	3,760	+0.3%
1926	3,685	−2.0%
1936	3,807	+3.3%
1946	4,020	+5.6%
1951	3,845	−4.4%
1956	4,167	+8.4%
1961	4,073	−2.3%
1966	4,129	+1.4%
1971	4,791	+16.0%
1981	6,548	+36.7%
1986	6,835	+4.4%
1991	6,824	−0.2%
1996	6,984	+2.3%
2002	7,557	+8.2%
2006	8,836	+16.9%
2011	9,601	+8.7%
2016	10,008	+4.2%
2022	10,952	+9.4%
[9] [10] [11] [12] [13] [14] [1]

Economy

Longford Chamber of Commerce

Longford Railway Station

Homebase and Argos outlets in the town (2007)

Longford's main industries are food production, sawmills, steelworking, generator retailing, cable making and the production of medical diagnostics. It is the major services centre for the county as well as the location of the Department of Social Welfare and the Irish Prison Service. The town is also a local commercial centre, with a number of retail outlets including multiples such as Tesco, German discount retailers, Aldi and Lidl and Irish retail outlets such as Dunnes Stores and Penneys. A retail park, the N4 Axis Centre, opened in Longford in October 2005. ^[15]

Longford town has a decentralized government department which employs approximately 300 people,^{[ citation needed ]} and a further 130 are employed at the Irish Prison Service's headquarters in the town.^{[ citation needed ]} Connolly Barracks once employed approximately 180 soldiers, many of whom were involved in UN peace-keeping duties, until the barracks closed in January 2009. ^[16]

While construction was formerly a major local employer, following the post-2008 Irish economic downturn, there were job losses in the construction industry and an increase in unemployment in the region.^{[ citation needed ]}

Education

Longford town has a number of primary schools (for ages 4–12) and three secondary schools (for ages 12–19): two single-sex schools, St. Mel's College (a Catholic boys' school), ^[17] and Scoil Mhuire (a Catholic girls' school run by the Sisters of Mercy), as well as a mixed school, (Templemichael College, formerly known as Longford Vocational School). Primary schools in Longford include a Gaelscoil and St. Joseph's. There is also an adult education centre in Longford.^{[ citation needed ]}

St. Mel's College is the oldest of these schools, being founded in the 1860s by the Roman Catholic Bishop of Ardagh and Clonmacnois as a diocesan seminary to train students for the priesthood. While the school only briefly functioned as a seminary, it served for many years as a boarding school, while also admitting day students. The boarding school was discontinued after 2000 and the school is now only a day school, with the largest student enrolment in County Longford.^{[ citation needed ]}

Transport

Road

Longford is at the point of divergence of the N5 road to Castlebar/Westport/Ireland West Airport and the N4 road which continues onwards to Sligo.

The N5 originally started in the town centre, causing occasional traffic congestion. The town's bypass opened on 3 August 2012. ^[18]

The N4 Sligo road has a bypass around the town, which consists of single carriageway with hard shoulders and four roundabouts. It was opened on 2 June 1995.^{[ citation needed ]}

Rail

Longford railway station (opened 8 November 1855) ^[19] is on the Dublin-Sligo line of the Irish railway network. About 91 kilometres (57 mi) from Sligo and 122 km (76 mi) from Dublin, it is served by Sligo-Dublin intercity services. Despite its distance from Dublin, there is a regular, well-utilised commuter service to Dublin with journeys to Dublin Connolly generally taking about an hour and three-quarters.

Canals

The Royal Canal reopened in October 2010 after years of being derelict and overgrown. Navigation is now possible from Spencer Dock, in Dublin, to the Shannon, in Clondra.

Bus

There are a number of bus services to Dublin and other towns both outside and inside the county provided by both the state (Bus Éireann) and private bus companies (Kane's, Donnelly's and Farrelly's.) Third level colleges are also served by the private companies during the academic year.^{[ citation needed ]}

Donnelly's Pioneer Bus Service, a local bus company based in Granard, operate a route from Longford to Granard via Ballinalee. There are three journeys each way daily (no Sunday service). ^[20]

Whartons Travel, which is also a local bus service, operate a route from Longford railway station and Longford to Cavan via Drumlish, Arvagh and Crossdoney. ^[21] As of 2014, this service is funded by the National Transport Authority.

Air

Longford's main air transport centre is located south-east of the town, at Abbeyshrule. Abbeyshrule Aerodrome receives a regular influx of small general aviation aircraft, including the Cessna 182 and 150.^{[ citation needed ]} The airport also has two flight training centres; one for general aviation fixed wing aircraft training (Aeroclub 2000) and one for microlight aircraft flight training (Ultraflight).^{[ citation needed ]}

Arts and culture

The Backstage Theatre and Centre for the Arts is a facility for arts and culture projects in the town and surrounding areas. ^[22] It is funded by Longford County Council with support from the Arts Council. Backstage is a member of two arts touring networks: Nasc a nationwide network of seven venues and Nomad a north midlands based network. ^[23]

Sport

The town has a number of sports clubs and facilities, including the Gaelic Athletic Association, rugby and tennis clubs, a League of Ireland soccer club (Longford Town FC), two indoor swimming pools, a gym and an 18-hole golf course. A swimming pool was opened in Longford in 2007.^{[ citation needed ]}

Gaelic football and hurling

The sport with most support in County Longford is Gaelic football.^{[ citation needed ]} The headquarters of the Longford Gaelic Athletic Association is located in Pearse Park in Longford Town, with a ground capacity of around 11,000. The Longford Gaelic football team won a Leinster title at Senior level in 1968 and a National League title in 1966. The minor (under-18) Longford county team won the Leinster title in 2002 and 2010. The major boys' secondary school in Longford town, St. Mel's College, also has a tradition in secondary schools' football (known as Colleges A), winning 29 Leinster and 4 All-Ireland titles (in the Hogan Cup). The main local GAA club is Longford Slashers, based in Longford town, who have won more Longford Senior Football Championship titles (16) than any other team in the county,^{[ citation needed ]} including a win in 2013. ^[24]

Soccer

Longford town's main association football (soccer) club, Longford Town FC, was founded in 1924 and was elected to the League of Ireland in 1984. ^[25] The club's ground is at Strokestown Road. ^[26] Longford Town FC has twice won the FAI Cup, in 2003 and 2004. ^[25]

Other sports

The local rugby union club, Longford RFC, was formed in the 1960s and participates in the Leinster League. ^[27]

Longford Sports & Leisure Centre, located in an area known locally as The Mall, contains a swimming pool, gym, and indoor and outdoor football and basketball facilities. ^[28]

People

• Willie Browne (1936–2004), Republic of Ireland international footballer^{[ citation needed ]}
• Francis "Frank" Butler (1847–1926), rifleshot who toured the US (1876–1884) and husband-manager of American sharpshooter Annie Oakley ^[29]
• Padraic Colum (1881–1972), Irish poet, novelist and playwright ^[30]
• Ray Flynn (b.1957), Irish mile record holder^{[ citation needed ]}
• Gareth Ghee, inter-county hurler^{[ citation needed ]}
• Michael Gomez (b.1977), champion professional boxer was born in an Irish Traveller family in Longford. ^[31]
• Patrick McCabe (b.1955) novelist, has lived in Longford. ^[8]
• Ruairí Ó Brádaigh (1932–2013), founder of Republican Sinn Féin ^[32]

Climate

Climate in this area has mild differences between highs and lows, and there is adequate rainfall year-round. The Köppen Climate Classification subtype for this climate is "Cfb" (Marine West Coast Climate/Oceanic climate). ^[33]

Climate data for Longford
Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec	Year
Mean maximum °C (°F)	12.3 (54.1)	13.4 (56.1)	16.7 (62.1)	19.3 (66.7)	22.9 (73.2)	24.8 (76.6)	25.2 (77.4)	24.9 (76.8)	22.1 (71.8)	19.0 (66.2)	15.6 (60.1)	12.8 (55.0)	19.1 (66.4)
Mean daily maximum °C (°F)	7.6 (45.7)	8.4 (47.1)	10.3 (50.5)	13.2 (55.8)	16.3 (61.3)	18.1 (64.6)	20.4 (68.7)	19.3 (66.7)	17.1 (62.8)	13.6 (56.5)	9.4 (48.9)	7.8 (46.0)	13.5 (56.2)
Daily mean °C (°F)	4.7 (40.5)	5.3 (41.5)	6.8 (44.2)	9.4 (48.9)	11.7 (53.1)	13.8 (56.8)	16.2 (61.2)	15.5 (59.9)	13.2 (55.8)	10.1 (50.2)	6.4 (43.5)	4.8 (40.6)	9.8 (49.7)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F)	1.7 (35.1)	2.1 (35.8)	3.3 (37.9)	5.6 (42.1)	7.1 (44.8)	9.5 (49.1)	12.1 (53.8)	11.3 (52.3)	9.3 (48.7)	6.6 (43.9)	3.4 (38.1)	1.8 (35.2)	6.1 (43.1)
Mean minimum °C (°F)	−2.1 (28.2)	−1.3 (29.7)	0.3 (32.5)	2.6 (36.7)	5.6 (42.1)	7.6 (45.7)	10.5 (50.9)	9.7 (49.5)	7.8 (46.0)	4.8 (40.6)	1.2 (34.2)	−1.9 (28.6)	3.9 (39.0)
Average precipitation mm (inches)	78.8 (3.10)	58.6 (2.31)	67.4 (2.65)	55.0 (2.17)	59.5 (2.34)	66.5 (2.62)	59.4 (2.34)	81.6 (3.21)	66.4 (2.61)	94.2 (3.71)	74.7 (2.94)	83.8 (3.30)	845.7 (33.30)
Source: Weatherbase [34]

See also

• Carn Clonhugh
• List of towns and villages in Ireland

References

1. "Interactive Data Visualisations: Towns: Longford". Census 2022. Central Statistics Office . Retrieved 26 September 2023.
2. Gearty, Sarah; Morris, Martin; O'Ferrall, Fergus (2010). "No. 22 - Longford" (PDF). Irish Historic Towns Atlas. Royal Irish Academy. Longford stands on a fording point of the Camlin River though the town's name does not derive from its position on a ford, but comes from the Irish Longphort, meaning fortress or stronghold
3. Smyth, Daragh (2020). Earthing the Myths: The Myths, Legends and Early History of Ireland. Merrion Press. ISBN   9781788551373. Longford / Longphort, 'fortified house' [..] The early name for Longford was Longphort Uí Fhearghail ('stronghold of the man of valour', or 'O'Farrell's fortress')
4. Woulfe, Patrick (1923). "Ó Fearghail". Irish Names and Surnames. Dublin: M. H. Gill. The head of the family resided at the town of Longford, which was formerly known as Longphort Ui Fhearghail, or O'Farrell's fortress
5. "St. John's Church of Ireland Church, Church Street, Battery Road, Abbeycarton, Longford Town, County Longford". www.buildingsofireland.com. National Inventory of Architectural Heritage. Archived from the original on 26 September 2021. Retrieved 17 April 2020.
6. "St Mels Cathedral, Longford, Ireland, Diocese of Ardagh and Clonmacnois, Cathedral Fire, Friends of St Mels Cathedral". Stmelscathedral.com. 25 December 2009. Archived from the original on 2 March 2012. Retrieved 23 June 2012.
7. "RTÉ News: Longford Cathedral gutted in fire". 25 December 2009. Archived from the original on 15 January 2010. Retrieved 25 December 2009.
8. King of Bog Gothic. The Guardian. 30 August 2003
9. "Census for post 1821 figures". Cso.ie. Archived from the original on 20 September 2010. Retrieved 23 June 2012.
10. histpop.org Archived 7 May 2016 at the Wayback Machine
11. "NISRA – Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency". Nisranew.nisra.gov.uk. Archived from the original on 4 April 2010. Retrieved 23 June 2012.
12. Lee, JJ (1981). "On the accuracy of the Pre-famine Irish censuses". In Goldstrom, J. M.; Clarkson, L. A. (eds.). Irish Population, Economy, and Society: Essays in Honour of the Late K. H. Connell. Oxford, England: Clarendon Press.
13. Mokyr, Joel; O Grada, Cormac (November 1984). "New Developments in Irish Population History, 1700–1850". The Economic History Review. 37 (4): 473–488. doi:10.1111/j.1468-0289.1984.tb00344.x. hdl: 10197/1406 . Archived from the original on 4 December 2012.
14. "Sapmap Area – Settlements – Longford". Census 2016. CSO. 2016. Archived from the original on 13 January 2018. Retrieved 12 January 2018.
15. "Homebase and Argos declared for ?30m Longford centre". 9 February 2005.
16. "Longford County Council to sell of Connolly Barracks". The Irish Times . 6 April 2016. Archived from the original on 9 April 2016. Retrieved 7 January 2016.
17. "stmelscollege.ie". Archived from the original on 2 December 2005. Retrieved 1 January 2019.
18. "N5 Longford Bypass – Opens Friday, August 3rd". Transport Infrastructure Ireland (Press release). Archived from the original on 16 November 2017. Retrieved 1 January 2019.
19. "Longford station" (PDF). Railscot – Irish Railways. Archived (PDF) from the original on 26 September 2007. Retrieved 5 September 2007.
20. "Journey Planner" (PDF). Transport for Ireland.^{[ permanent dead link ‍]}
21. "Whartons Travel - Cavan to Longford Bus - Longford to Cavan Bus". Archived from the original on 9 February 2013. Retrieved 19 December 2015.
22. "Backstage". Backstage. Archived from the original on 10 August 2020. Retrieved 4 July 2020.
23. "Networks - Irish Theatre". Irish Theatre Institute. Archived from the original on 3 July 2020. Retrieved 4 July 2020.
24. "Slashers storm to title". Irish Examiner. 7 October 2013.
25. "Longford Town Club Information". airtricityleague.ie. 9 February 2009. Archived from the original on 22 September 2012. Retrieved 7 September 2012.
26. "Visiting Bishopsgate". ltfc.ie. Retrieved 26 July 2023.
27. "Longford RFC: A Look Back In Time". irishrugby.ie. Retrieved 26 July 2023.
28. "Coral Leisure Longford". longford.coralleisure.ie. Retrieved 26 July 2023. Longford Sports & Leisure Centre [..] includes a 25m Swimming Pool, a Learner Pool, Sauna & Steam Room, Gym, Weights Room, Sports Hall, Astro Turf and Mugga facility [..] Longford Sports & Leisure, The Mall, Longford Town
29. "How the Wild West stage was won by a Longford man". Longford Leader. 16 April 2015. Retrieved 5 May 2023. Francis 'Frank' E Butler was born in Longford town on January 20, 1847
30. Kinsella, Michael A. (2009). "Colum, Padraic". Dictionary of Irish Biography . Royal Irish Academy. doi:10.3318/dib.001889.v1 . Retrieved 5 May 2023.
31. "Boxing: Gomez finally to fight for Irish title". independent.ie. 11 January 2006. Retrieved 5 May 2023.
32. Maume, Patrick (2019). "Ó Brádaigh, Ruairí". Dictionary of Irish Biography . Royal Irish Academy. doi:10.3318/dib.010082.v1 . Retrieved 5 May 2023.
33. "Climate Summary for Longford". Archived from the original on 22 September 2015. Retrieved 12 July 2013.
34. "Weatherbase.com". Weatherbase. 2013. Archived from the original on 3 September 2014. Retrieved 12 July 2013. Retrieved on 12 July 2013.

External links

• Media related to Longford at Wikimedia Commons
• The dictionary definition of Longford at Wiktionary