County Longford - Towns

Beside the village of Abbeylara 4km south-west (2.5 miles) of Granard and near the shore of Lough Kinale are the remains of a 13th century Cistercian abbey founded by an Anglo-Norman, Richard Tuite. It was plundered by Edward Bruce after the sacking of Granard. A semicircular earthwork north of the village is regarded locally as the site of the original church founded here by Saint Patrick about 460. From the shore of Lough Kinale, north-east of Abbeylara, parts of the ancient defensive earthwork known as the black Pig's Dyke extends north-westwards towards the shore of Lough Gowna. In the parish of Abbeylara there are two well preserved remains of stone circles.

There are also in this area surviving traces of what appear to be megalithic burials. There is no doubt of the antiquity of these stone circles and of their importance as archaelogical remains of the Bronze Age period of our history. They stand as memorials to those who recognised the sun as the centre of the universe, the source of all life.

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Abbeyshrule is situated east of Ballymahon in a picturesque valley of the River Inny. A Cistercian Abbey was founded here in 1150 and was one of the earliest in the country following the success of the first foundation at Mellifont in County Louth. The Abbey was founded by the O'Farrells and was eventually closed by Queen Elizabeth 1 during the Tudor suppression of the monasteries. The lands were granted to Robert Dillon, Earl of Roscommon. The adjoining graveyard contains part of the only high cross in County Longford. The Royal Canal passes through Abbeyshrule on its way from the Shannon to Dublin. Note the Whitworth aquaduct built in 1817 to carry the Royal Canal over the River Inny. Abbeyshrule is also associated with the Goldsmith Summer School. The only airfield in the midlands is located in Abbeyshrule with its 575 metre tarmac runway and each year its festival is a mecca for flying enthusiasts from home and overseas. Flying lessons are available throughout the year.

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The village of Ardagh lies to the south-east of Longford Town and has given its name to the Diocese in which the greaterpart of the county is situated. It is said that Saint Patrick founded a church here in the fifth century and installed Saint Mel as bishop.

The ancient ruins of Saint Mel's Cathedral are near the present Church of Ireland and Saint Mel himself is said to be buried within the walls. Ardagh is a very attractive Estate Village which was largely rebuilt by Lady Fetherston in the 1860's.

The clock and houses are unique in Ireland for their Swiss design. Ardagh has featured regularly in the forefront of the National Tidy Towns Awards. Its distinctive architecture as a planned estate has led to its designation as a Heritage Village. Lady Fetherston's ancestral home was Ardagh House, now Saint Brigid's Training Centre run by the Sisters of Mercy. See Goldsmith and Ardagh Hertiage Centre.

Considerable archaeological remains have been discovered in the Ardagh region, which have been excavated by the noted archaeologist Liam de Paor.

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The village of Aughnacliffe is located to the south-west of the Gowna network of lakes. Attractive views of the lakes and surrounding countryside can be seen from various locations. An ancient bronze bell from the St. Columcille monastery on Inchmore Island is preserved in the Catholic Church. The Aughnacliffe dolmen is one of the finest of its type.

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The village of Ballinalee is situated seven miles (11 km ) west of Granard.

This is where the commander of the English forces, Lord Cornwallis, stayed for two days after the Battle of Ballinamuck in 1798. During that time 130 insurgent prisoners were executed and buried in the old graveyard called "Bully's Acre".

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