Guide to County Longford in Ireland

County Longford

Longford is a county in the midlands of Ireland situated in the north-west of the province of Leinster. It is surrounded by the counties of Roscommon, Leitrim, Cavan and Westmeath. Longford is Ireland's fourth smallest county by area, and with a population of less than 35,000 it is one of Ireland's least densely populated counties. In fact, with just 0.5% of the island's population living in county Longford, only neighbouring Leitrim can claim to have less inhabitants within its boundaries.

Business in Longford is still centred on agricultural pursuits with many farmers rearing cattle and sheep, whilst others focus on traditional crops like oats and potatoes. Most of Longford is low-lying pasture and raised bogland in the basin of the River Shannon, which forms its western boundary with Roscommon, much of it in the form of the large lake, Lough Ree. Heavy rainfall in the midlands in recent years has led to the Shannon bursting its banks and repeatedly flooding adjacent fields, with Longford's farming community suffering particular hardship.

The county's main town is Longford town with a population of around 13,000, i.e. about a third of the county's residents. The town is the second largest on the N4 national primary route linking Dublin to Sligo, and it is also the starting point of the N5 primary road which terminates at Westport in County Mayo, so there is always a steady flow of motorists forming a passing trade for businesses in the town. With a distance of 75 miles from Dublin and improved rail, motorway and dual carriageway links, Longford is now on the fringes of the Dublin commuter belt.

Other towns in County Longford include Ballymahon, Drumlish, Granard, Keenagh, Edgeworthstown (Meathas Troim) and Newtown Forbes.