LongfordLongford at a Glance
Costs: US$75-120 per day - covers modest B&B, pub meal, local bus or occasional rail fare.
Safety: Generally safe - quiet county town; petty crime rare, usual city common-sense applies.
Best Time: May-September - mild weather, festivals and longest daylight hours.
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.
Best Things to Do in Longford
Lake
Lough Ree
Central Irish lake on the River Shannon
Religious Site
Clonmacnoise
Ruined early-medieval monastic complex on River Shannon
Lake
Lough Owel
Spring-fed lake in County Westmeath, Ireland
Lake
Lough Derravaragh
Freshwater lake in County Westmeath
Lake
Lough Oughter
Complex lake system with islands and archaeological sites
Lake
Lough Gowna
Complex lake with many islands in Leinster
Longford Bucket List
Don't Miss
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.
Hidden Gems
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.
Day Trips
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.
Nearby Cities #
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.
Winter
Grey, damp winters with chilly winds; not ideal for long outdoor excursions but cosy village pubs and low-season quiet are perks.
Spring
Green fields return quickly and days lengthen - prime time for gentle hikes, gardens and scenic drives without heavy rain.
Summer
Warm but rarely hot; best season for cycling, riverside walks and local festivals, though expect periodic showers.
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.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Poor | 2° - 8° | 2° | 107 mm | overcast | 95% | 4.1 m/s | 0.0 low | 7.9h |
| February | Poor | 2° - 8° | 2° | 81 mm | overcast | 94% | 4.0 m/s | 0.2 low | 9.6h |
| March | Acceptable | 3° - 10° | 4° | 82 mm | overcast | 91% | 4.1 m/s | 0.4 low | 11.7h |
| April | Acceptable | 4° - 12° | 6° | 63 mm | overcast | 87% | 3.5 m/s | 0.8 moderate | 13.8h |
| May | Good | 7° - 15° | 11° | 63 mm | overcast | 84% | 3.3 m/s | 1.2 high | 15.7h |
| June | Good | 9° - 18° | 14° | 69 mm | overcast | 83% | 3.1 m/s | 1.5 high | 16.7h |
| July | Good | 12° - 19° | 15° | 66 mm | overcast | 85% | 3.0 m/s | 1.3 high | 16.2h |
| August | Good | 11° - 19° | 15° | 85 mm | overcast | 86% | 2.9 m/s | 1.1 high | 14.6h |
| September | Good | 9° - 17° | 13° | 84 mm | overcast | 88% | 3.2 m/s | 0.7 moderate | 12.5h |
| October | Acceptable | 7° - 13° | 8° | 103 mm | overcast | 92% | 3.4 m/s | 0.3 low | 10.4h |
| November | Acceptable | 4° - 10° | 5° | 104 mm | overcast | 95% | 3.5 m/s | 0.1 low | 8.4h |
| December | Poor | 3° - 8° | 3° | 105 mm | overcast | 96% | 3.8 m/s | 0.0 low | 7.3h |
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 is best accessed by train from Dublin Connolly for a direct, predictable journey; coaches are a good budget option. Once in town, local buses and taxis cover shorter distances, but walking is the easiest way to navigate the centre.
- Iarnród Éireann (train) (€7-€15) - Longford station sits on the Dublin-Sligo intercity line with regular services from Dublin Connolly. Trains take about 1h30-1h50 to reach Longford and are comfortable for commuters and visitors; book early for the best fares and travel times.
- Intercity coach (€7-€15) - Bus Éireann and private coaches run between Dublin and Longford; coaches are a reliable alternative to trains and can be cheaper if booked in advance. Journey times are typically 1.5-2 hours depending on traffic.
- Taxi / private transfer (€120-€160) - Taxis offer door-to-door convenience from airports or neighbouring towns. A Dublin Airport-Longford taxi usually costs €120-€160 and takes roughly 75-100 minutes; agree a fare or pre-book a transfer to avoid surprises.
- Car hire (€35-€70/day (typical)) - Hiring a car at Dublin or Shannon airports gives full flexibility for exploring County Longford and nearby attractions. Roads are straightforward; driving times to Dublin Airport are around 1.5 hours.
- Local bus / taxi (€1.50-€6) - Local bus services connect villages and housing estates to Longford town while taxis handle shorter or off-hour trips. Local services can be infrequent, so check timetables in advance.
- Walking - Longford town centre is compact and walkable; most shops, cafés and services lie within 10-20 minutes on foot from the station or main bus stops.
Where to Stay in Longford
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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.