In our Irish county guide series, we share our top tips, tricks and picks when visiting each Irish county. Let’s see what Longford has to offer.
Right in Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands, Longford is rich in history, culture and literature, with beautiful natural landscapes and fine food and dining.
In particular, Longford is known for its forest escapes and woodland resorts, which bring people from all over the country to the county, but of course, it has that plus so much more to offer. If you’re planning a trip to Longford anytime soon, here’s everything you need to know.
Where to stay
Center Parcs
The first Center Parcs resort on the island of Ireland, tucked away among 400 acres of forest, it is the perfect relaxing getaway. Stay in your choice of private lodge or apartment with access to the Aqua Sana spa and all manner of activities for you and the whole family.
Prices vary due to demand; for bookings, enquire on the Center Parcs website.
Castlecor House
First constructed as a hunting lodge in the mid-1700s and later added to in the 19th and 20th centuries, a stay at Castlecor House will have you straining your neck to look around, as it still features all of the original architecture. One of the most notable features is the magnificent, octagonal Great Hall. Conveniently located, it’s only a 25-minute drive from Longford Town and 10 minutes from Glasson Village. Prices start at €170 per night in both the Bond and Clerk suites.
Abbeyview House B&B
Built in the mid-1800s on the outskirts of the beautiful village of Abbeyshrule, you’ll find Abbeyview House B&B. Originally constructed by local mill owner George Eldon Coates and later used as a Garda Barracks, this house has a lot of history behind it. Abbeyview House is right in the middle of the country, meaning guests have easy access to other counties like Westmeath, Cavan, Roscommon and Leitrim if you want to extend your visit. Guests have a choice of the two bedrooms in the house, which start at €90 per night, or the on-site glamping pods for €130 per night.
Other accommodation includes
Where to eat
Restaurants
Eleven-Eleven Brunchery and Gastrobar, Longford Town
PV’s Bar and Restaurant, Longford Town
Vocella’s Italian, Longford Town
Take 2, Longford Town
Skelly’s Bar and Restaurant, Ballymahon
Paul Fay’s Pub, Granard
The Rustic Inn, Abbeyshrule
Coffee/Brunch
Wilder and Gold, Ballymahon
Athena Gallery Café, Longford Town
Elm Coffee Trailer, Granard
VDA Coffee, Longford Town
Courtyard Café and Bakery, Longford Town
Pubs
Edward J. Valentine’s, Longford Town
Jack’s Corner House, Edgeworthstown
Murphy’s Crossroads Inn, Granard
What to do:
Lough Ree Distillery tours and tastings
Tucked away on the flank of the River Shannon, the Lough Ree Distillery create handcrafted, small-batch Irish Spirits. Offering tastings and tours, visitors can experience what exactly goes into making these premier spirits.
Lough Ree ‘Access for All’ boat trips
Lough Ree Access for All offer boat rental, guided angling tours and boat trips around the lough, showing off all its natural beauty. ‘Access for All’ means exactly what the name suggests; all boats are wheelchair friendly with extra supports for all disabled persons. The project encourages both able-bodied and disabled people to partake in sport and adventure together.
Maria Edgeworth Visitor Centre
Described as the ‘Irish Jane Austen’, Maria Edgeworth was a foundational figure in the development of the modern novel. Visitors can embark on a trail that transports them back in time or stop off in the Maria Edgeworth Visitor Centre, which sits in one of the oldest national school buildings in the country.
Knights and Conquests Visitor Centre
Cloughan Farm and Cookery School
