Things to Do and See in County Longford
Meander along The Royal Canal by boat from Spencer Dock in Dublin to Richmond Harbour in Clondra.
Enjoy a relaxing break at Richmond Harbour in Clondra. Stay at The Richmond Inn and experience authentic Irish village life along the canal.
Enjoy an evening at The Longford Greyhound Racing Track, a unique and fun filled experience. Betting service, full bar facilities, and take away food are all available.
Get the adrenalin pumping with a hour or two spent at the exhilarating Midland Paintballing course
Bring out the daredevil in you and go karting at Midland Karting in Edgeworthstown, the best Karting Track in the country.
Join up with a group of friends or as a family for an evening of fun and show off your bowling skills while having a beer at Longford MegaBowl.
Experience the pleasure of boating on the historic Royal Canal, navigable the whole way from Dublin to the magnificent Richmond Harbour in Clondra Co.Longford.
Take a wander around the quaint village of Clondra which is full of memories of canal life, then enjoy a pint of Guinness and some fine Irish food at Richmond Inn Guesthouse.
Make a visit to The Outdoor Discovery Adventure Centre in Ballymahon where you can get advice on the best spots for Kayaking, Canoeing, Whitewater rafting, Tubing, Zorbing and many other water sports on County Longford’s myriad of rivers, lakes and canals.
Enjoy some of the Ireland’s best fishing at over 30 lakes, rivers and canals around the county.
Learn to Fly! atAbbeyshrule Airfield, the only airport in the Midlands and the location for the longest running International Air Show held annually in August.
Meander through Derrycassin Woods located in Dring Co.Longford, while taking in the splendid views of lovely Lough Gowna.
Map of Derrycassin Woods
Enjoy a leisurely walk through Newcastle Woods & view Newcastle House a 300 year old Manor House and former home to the King Harmon family.
Map of Newcastle Woods
Explore the bogs of Ballinamuck and learn about the unique flora and fauna of the pristine Edenmore Bog by making the 4.5km looped walk.
Map of Edenmore Bogwalk
Witness the centuries old tradition of turf cutting in Co Longford and learn about the importance of conservation for the boglands of Ireland.
Visit Corlea Trackway Heritage Centre – the site of the largest iron-age bog road in Europe, dating to 148BC.
Follow the historical Ballinamuck trails retracing the steps of those brave women and men who fought at the Battle of Ballinamuck in 1798.
Visit Ballinamuck Heritage Centre in the old R.I.C Barracks in Ballinamuck.
Walk, cycle or boat the Royal Canal Way from Longford to Dublin, or simply enjoy the County Longford stretch of the Royal Canal Way which takes in many picturesque towns and villages in the county.
Visit Brannigan Harbour on the Royal Canal in Ballymahon and view the original ticket office.
Drive or boat to the picturesque village of Abbeyshrule on the Royal Canal - Tidy Towns Gold Winner 2009 & 2010.
Discover Ardagh Heritage Village –An historical gem in the midlands of Ireland - designed by J Rawson Carroll the famous Victorian architect.
Dine at VM Restaurant named in the 'Bridgestone 2010 Guide to the 100 Best Places to Eat', which offers an elegant and sophisticated experience for the gourmet food lover.
Treat the tastebuds with some delicious Irish/mediteranian fusion style food, wonderful coffee and a chilled glass of prosseco at the funky Aubergine Gallery Café.
Watch the boats come in on the River Shannon at Tarmonbarry on the Longford/Roscommon border.
Sample the fare at Keenans restaurant in Tarmonbarry, located on the banks of the Shannon at Longford/Roscommon border, - Taste of the Waterways winner for 2010.
Enjoy traditional music and fare with excellent hospitality at The Richmond Inn, located at Richmond Harbour in Clondra.
Enjoy the celebrations at Richmond Harbour on the Royal Canal at the Clondra Canal Festival.
Enjoy the splendid scenery at Barley Harbour & Elfeet Bay near Newtowncashel in South Longford.
Stand on the ground of the saints and scholars of Ireland at Saints Island on Lough Ree.
Visit Inchcleraun Island, associated with the famous Irish epic The Tain Bo Cuailgne. This Island was Queen Maeves favourite bathing place and also the spot where she met her untimely death. It is also the burial site of Maeves sister Clothra from whom the Island gets it's name.
Wonder at the height of Granard Motte and Bailey and chat with the locals about the many stories attached to it's history and significance.
Stay at the Greville Arms Hotel – which was often frequented by General Michael Collins, the famous Irish military hero and great love of Kitty Kiernan, whose family owned the premises at the time.
Visit Ballinalee the home place of General Sean McKeon 'The Blacksmith of Ballinalee. See the family Blacksmith Forge and the location of the famous Irish stand against the British, The Battle of Ballinalee.
Play a game of Pitch and Putt at Acres Pitch and Putt Club in Ballinalee village.
Enjoy the mellow sounds of the Irish Harp at the Granard Traditional Harp Festival.
Learn to play the Harp at the many workshops taking place at the harp festival in Granard.
Learn Sean Nos dancing - Get your dancing shoes on for the Sean Og Set Dancing Festival held annually in September.
Attend a three day ceile of round the clock music and dancing in The Longford Arms Hotel.
Practice your Gaeilge by joining an evening of Irish speaking in the Longford Arms Hotel on Main Street Longford.
Visit Edgeworthstown – The ancestral home of the famous author Maria Edgeworth who is buried in St Johns graveyard in the town. This is also the burial place of Isolde Wilde – sister of Oscar Wilde.
Take the Oliver Goldsmith Trail and visit the sites associated with this famous Longford author.
Visit the site of Longford Workhouse, the birthplace of the renowned author Paraic Colum.
Arrange a visit to view Castleforbes and it's grounds in Newtownforbes.
Enjoy the tranquillity of the Mall Park in the centre of Longford town.
Take a drive to the picturesque village of Newtowncashel near Lough Ree in South Longford and enjoy the many wonderful walks in the area.
Visit the bog wood studios of the Caseys at Barley Harbour in Newtowncashel. Michael and Kevin create amazing works of art from the bog woods of oak, yew and pine.
Visit the viilage of Kenagh to view the historical Kenagh Clock Tower built in 1878 by the tenants of Lawerence King Harmon in his memory. Lawerence King Harmon resided at Newcastle in Ballymahon and was at the time landlord over 28,000 acres in South Longford.
Visit the ruins of the 13th century Augustinian monastery of Abbeyderg which is located about 5km from Kenagh. The remains of Maiolin O’Mulgonry, who has been described as Chief Ollamh and poet of Ireland were buried here.
Bring the family to the National ISPCA Centre in Kenagh for a day trip. This will delight the children who will perhaps find a pet to give a new home to.The centre holds an annual festival and family fun day.
Visit Mosstown Harbour on The Royal Canal at Kenagh. The harbour is used by locals and visitors alike for boating, fishing, and other water sports.
Enjoy some fishing or boating on the splendid Shannon at Lanesborough in south Longford.
Drive to Aughnacliff in North Longford to view one of the most impressive megalithic portal tombs in the country. The nearby parish of Cleenrath also has a dolman reputed to have been the resting place of Diarmud and Graine in Irish mythology.
Climb Cairn Hill, the highest point in County Longford, and enjoy amazing views of the surrounding countryside.
Test your speed and endurance by taking part in the annual Longford Marathon which draws athletes from around the country as well as the four corners of the globe.
Drop into Caseys Pub in Newtownforbes, one of the oldest and most historical pubs in Co Longford, and favourite drinking place of General Michael Collins and comrades when he visited the county.
Pamper yourself and friends with an amazing Yonka aromatheraphy facial or hot stone massage at Wards Urban Day Spa on Ballymahon Street, Longford.
Spend some retail therapy hours in the excellent boutiques and shops of Longford town.
Play some music or join the singing at the weekly Trad Sessions in Keoghs Trad Bar on Lower Main Street in Longford.
Immerse yourself in the literary world of poetry by taking part in the annual International Poetry Festival at nearby Strokestown Park House.
Embrace the wonders of nature by taking part in the activities of Lough Ree Environmental Festival in Lanesborough, held annually in conjuction with Lanesborough Arts Festival.
Mingle with the literary greats of today in celebration of Oliver Goldsmith, a literary great of yore at The Goldsmith International Literary Festival.
Play a few rounds of golf on the county Longford's excellent 18 hole golf course located just 5 minutes outside of Longford town.
Explore the great outdoors and make a wish at the secret bridge in Derrycassin Woods.
Take a drive through the beautiful North Longford area and enjoy the amazing unspoilt countryside of our unique county.
Enjoy splendid views of Elfeet bay and the Islands of Lough Ree while picnicing, swimming, fishing or boating at Barley Harbour outside Newtowncashel.
Visit the quaint village of Barry and take a stroll along the banks of the canal.
Relax, enjoy a drink by the turf fire and listen to some splendid trad music in Skellys of Ballymahon.