Longford Travel Guide
City Town in Leinster, Ireland, known for history
A river town on the Shannon corridor with Georgian streets and local sporting life; Longford welcomes anglers and boaters, history buffs to nearby Corlea bog and its Iron Age trackway, and visitors who enjoy straightforward pubs and market stalls.
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Why Visit Longford? #
Longford appeals to visitors seeking Irish history and riverine landscapes without the crowds. The rebuilt St Mel’s Cathedral and the county’s archaeology-like the Corlea Trackway-offer distinct historical highlights, while the Royal Canal and surrounding boglands provide a peaceful natural setting. Short drives take you to castles, country houses and traditional pubs, so Longford works well as a low-key base for exploring Ireland’s midlands.
Top Things to Do in Longford
All Attractions ›
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- St Mel's Cathedral - Visit St Mel's Cathedral, rebuilt after the 2009 fire with restored interior.
- Corlea Trackway Visitor Centre - See the Iron Age Corlea Trackway and learn about ancient bog-preserved timber engineering.
- Longford Main Street - Walk Longford's Main Street for shops, cafes, and local heritage architecture.
- Royal Canal towpath - Walk along the Royal Canal towpath for peaceful waterside paths and wildlife.
- Dean Crowe Theatre - Catch a community play or music night at the Dean Crowe Theatre arts venue.
- Newtownforbes village - Stroll Newtownforbes for heritage houses, riverside walks, and local cafés.
- Strokestown Park House & Famine Museum - Visit Strokestown Park for the Irish Famine Museum and restored Georgian house.
- Lough Key Forest Park - Explore Lough Key's islands, woodland walking trails, and heritage tree canopy walks.
Best Time to Visit Longford #
Longford is at its best from late spring through summer when countryside activities and festivals run in mild, mostly dry weather. Winters are cool and wet, so plan winter trips for indoor charms rather than outdoor sightseeing.
Best Time to Visit Longford #
Longford's climate is classified as Oceanic - Oceanic climate with mild summers (peaking in July) and cold winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from 2°C to 19°C. Abundant rainfall (1012 mm/year), wettest in January.
January
January is the coolest month with highs of 8°C and lows of 2°C. The wettest month with heavy rain (107 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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February
February is cold with highs of 8°C and lows of 2°C. Regular rainfall (81 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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March
March is cold with highs of 10°C and lows of 3°C. Regular rainfall (82 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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April
April is cold with highs of 12°C and lows of 4°C. Moderate rainfall (63 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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May
May is cool with highs of 15°C and lows of 7°C. Moderate rainfall (63 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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June
June is cool with highs of 18°C and lows of 9°C. Moderate rainfall (69 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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July
July is cool with highs of 19°C and lows of 12°C. Moderate rainfall (66 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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August
August is cool with highs of 19°C and lows of 11°C. Regular rainfall (85 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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September
September is cool with highs of 17°C and lows of 9°C. Regular rainfall (84 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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October
October is cold with highs of 13°C and lows of 7°C. Significant rainfall (103 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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November
November is cold with highs of 10°C and lows of 4°C. Significant rainfall (104 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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December
December is cold with highs of 8°C and lows of 3°C. Significant rainfall (105 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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How to Get to Longford
Longford is well connected by rail and coach to Dublin and other Irish cities; Longford railway station provides direct Iarnród Éireann services, making train travel the simplest public-transport option. Dublin Airport (DUB) is the main air gateway for the town.
Dublin Airport (DUB): Dublin is the main international gateway for Longford. From Dublin Airport you can hire a car (drive ~1h20-1h40) or take a taxi directly (typical fare €120-€160). Alternatively, take the airport bus into Dublin city centre (to Connolly/Busáras) and continue by train or coach to Longford.
Shannon Airport (SNN): Shannon is an alternative for western arrivals; driving to Longford takes roughly 1.5-2 hours by road and taxi fares are significantly higher than from Dublin due to distance.
Train: Longford has a railway station (Longford) on the Iarnród Éireann Dublin-Longford-Sligo line. Trains from Dublin Connolly to Longford typically take about 1h30-1h50; off-peak single fares commonly range from €7-€15 depending on advance purchase and promotional pricing.
Bus: Bus Éireann and private coach operators serve Longford from Dublin and other regional centres. Journey times by coach are similar to rail, often around 1.5-2 hours; fares vary by operator but expect roughly €7-€15 for standard services.
How to Get Around Longford #
Longford town is compact and walkable, with most amenities clustered around Market Square and the main streets. Longford railway station has regular Irish Rail services (Dublin-Sligo line), and Bus Éireann runs regional buses to nearby towns and cities. Taxis and local hire cars are common; cycling is fine for short distances. Typical train or bus fares to Dublin vary but are generally in the single- to double-digit-euro range.
Where to Stay in Longford #
Where to Eat in Longford #
Breakdown of cuisine types found across Longford's restaurants and food venues, based on OpenStreetMap data.
Nightlife in Longford #
Evenings in Longford revolve around pubs and a few live-music nights - you’ll find cosy neighbourhood pubs rather than large clubs. Occasionally there are music nights or events in bars and hotels, but the overall scene is relaxed and geared toward locals.
Shopping in Longford #
Retail in Longford consists of local shops, supermarkets and a scattering of independent boutiques and service businesses. You’ll find the usual town-centre offerings and some specialist food shops; for larger shopping centres and more variety, travel to bigger regional hubs.
