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Longford
ℹ️Practical info — Longford
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🌤 Weather — 5 days
📍 Nearby
Sights nearby
💡 Tips
- Longford serves as a great base for exploring the Midlands; consider renting a car as public transport to rural sights is limited.
- The Royal Canal Greenway starts here; it's excellent for a flat, scenic cycle or walk.
- Parking in the town center is mostly pay-and-display, check the street signs carefully before leaving your car.
- Weather changes quickly in this region, dress in layers even during the summer months.
🍽 Food
A hearty start to the day, easily found in the cozy cafes along Main Street.
Classic comforting pub grub; try it in the traditional pubs right in the town center.
Excellent with your afternoon tea; pick them up from bakeries near the shopping center.
🛍 Shopping · 🧘 Quiet spots
Head here for a selection of independent clothing stores and Irish crafts.
Look out for fresh regional produce and homemade treats on Fridays.
A lovely, well-maintained park right in the town center, convenient for a quiet stroll.
Enjoy the peaceful atmosphere and the impressive architecture of the beautifully restored cathedral.
Water temperature…
Longford is the county town of County Longford in the Irish Midlands, situated on the River Camlin and serving as a major link between Dublin and the Northwest. The town's origins are rooted in the medieval territory of the O'Farrell clan, though it was officially chartered in 1608 during the reign of King James I. A defining landmark of the town is St. Mel's Cathedral, a magnificent 19th-century neoclassical basilica that underwent one of Europe's largest restoration projects following a catastrophic fire on Christmas Day in 2009. Historically, Longford flourished as a market town, supported by the arrival of the Royal Canal and later the railway, which facilitated the trade of livestock and crops. The surrounding landscape is rich in archaeological significance, most notably the Corlea Trackway, an Iron Age bog road dating back to 148 BC. Today, Longford is an important administrative, educational, and commercial center for the Midlands, maintaining its traditional market atmosphere while diversifying into modern industry and services.
- Location: Ireland
- Top sights: Backstage Theatre · Saint Mel's Cathedral
- Nearby: Moate (37 km)
- Population: ~10.952
Best time to visit & climate
The most pleasant time to visit is Jun–Aug.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avg °C | 5 | 5 | 6 | 8 | 11 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 13 | 10 | 7 | 5 |
| Rain mm | 111 | 88 | 85 | 72 | 85 | 95 | 101 | 111 | 89 | 109 | 120 | 116 |
Geography
Facts
- St. Mel's Cathedral was built between 1840 and 1856 and features 24 limestone columns.
- The town was established near the site of an ancient O'Farrell castle.
- The Royal Canal was extended to Longford in 1830, boosting its local economy.
- Corlea Trackway, located nearby, is the largest of its kind ever excavated in Europe.
- Longford serves as the administrative headquarters for the Irish Midlands region.
- The town was a significant center for the production of linen and wool in the 1800s.
Explore nearby
Notable places around
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Sights in the town Longford (2)
Frequently asked questions
What is the main attraction in Longford town?
What is the Corlea Trackway?
Are there canals in Longford?
Is Longford good for outdoor activities?
How far is it to Center Parcs?
Longford: where is it located?
Longford: what is there to see?
Longford: when is the best time to visit?
Longford: why is it worth visiting?
Nearby cities
