County Longford is located in the province of Leinster, in the midlands of Ireland. It is mainly a rural county, within striking distance of plenty of historic and tourist attractions due to its central positioning in the heart of the country and is set in the midst of lovely lakeland country. The county’s main charms are its unspoilt, pretty countryside, lakes, bogs, archaeological heritage and a slower, relaxed pace of life, making it a good location choice to enjoy a truly authentic Irish holiday. It is easily accessible from Dublin airport and a number of primary road networks cut through it.

Bordered by Leitrim, Roscommon, Westmeath & Cavan, the county has a variety of landscapes from the rugged northwest, to large swathes of bogland, to gentle rolling hills. It has plenty to offer the outdoor enthusiast, including fishing along the banks of the Shannon, in Lough Ree and Lough Gowna. The Royal Canal, which connects Dublin to Longford, is navigable from Spencer Dock in Dublin City Centre, all the way to Richmond Harbour in Clondra, a 90 mile length, and was re-opened to the public in 2010 after an extensive restoration programme. Clondra itself is a pretty canal-side village, with plenty of accommodation and is a good starting point on a boating, cycling or long-distance walking holiday along the Royal Canal.

Longford is the county town, and probably the best base in the county, with a lively town centre and plenty of accommodation and dining options, including Viewmount Hotel, a beautifully restored Georgian house, located slightly outside the town centre itself. The town’s architecture is dominated by the spire of St.Mels Cathedral (which is being restored after extensive fire damage). The River Camlin flows through Longford town, and there is a lovely pathway along the river.

The Corlea Trackway Visitor Centre, located in Kenagh, explores the history of an ancient Iron Age oak road, uncovered nearby. An 18-metre stretch of the road is displayed in the Visitor Centre under special conditions to prevent further decay. It is the largest road of its kind discovered in Europe. Excavations on the surrounding bog areas have uncovered a number of similar tracks & there is ongoing conservation work to protect the buried roads. The exhibitions in the centre explore the history of Iron Age tracks, archaeological excavation and bog culture.

Continuing on the bog-tourism theme, Bogoak Sculptures, in Newtowncashel, explores the art of sculptures made from bogwood, an ancient wood naturally preserved in Irish bogs. Micheal and Kevin Casey display their beautiful sculptures in an onsite workshop and studio and explain the process via video and photographs.