History of Longford Town.

The town received its name from the ancient castle of the O'Farrells, Prince of Annally, who also in 1400, founded a Dominican priory here. No trace of either building has survived, but there are fragmentary remains of the castle erected in 1627 by the first Earl of Longford. During the Confederate wars of 1641 this castle was captured by the English and later withstood a siege of several weeks by Owen Roe ONeill. Longford Town sprung up along the banks of the river Camlin. Its strategic midland location saw it develop as a gateway to the northwest and the northern half of Connaught. Furthermore this important location was recognised as early as the 1700s when the British authorities sited both a cavalry and artillery barracks in the town. The present Great Water Street was the main centre of commerce and industry for much of the last century. Buildings of importance surviving from this era include St John’s Church of Ireland 1760, Longford Court House and the Longford Arms Hotel 1807. With the arrival of the Royal Canal in 1830 and the railway in 1855, the eastern side of town slowly became the main centre of commerce and industry. The National Bank was set up in 1834, St Mel’s Cathedral in 1840 and the (former) Garda Station circa 1842. In more recent times there has been the development of Earl Street while the arrival of the shopping centres has re-kindled the central part of the town. Since the 1960s Longford has developed rapidly as a centre of excellence both in manufacturing and retailing. The rapid urbanisation of Irish society is reflected in the growing town population, which is well served by some of the finest leisure and recreational facilities in the country.

Main Street

As you cross the bridge from Church Street and travel into Main Street, notice the pleasant three-storey building with a coach arch and pedimented door and windows. This building was once a Gentleman’s Club and is now used as a business premises. 

Battery Road

Travelling from Sligo you first encounter the Battery Road, a broad tree lined avenue with the houses on the right set back off the road. Built for British Army Officers these large paddocks were intended as a grazing area for their horses.

Great Water Street

After the Industrial Revolution in England, Longford had a significant share of industry, much of which was concentrated in the Great Water Street area. There were a large number of businesses here dating from the early 1800s which included a Fowl Market (on the site now occupied by the new Council Offices), a Butter Market, Longford Gas Works (formed in 1857), a Bonded Warehouse, a Pottery and Lime Kiln, Corn Mill, Timber Mill, Distillery (which produced 5,000 gallons of whiskey annually), Flax Mill and a Tannery and Abattoir. Opposite the Fowl Market there was a school catering for young girls, which still stands today, but is now a private residence.

St Mel’s Road

If you journey past the Cathedral you will find a quaint unique Victorian style street. The houses of St Mel’s road have the distinction of being built with stones from the old jail on the Battery Road.