County Longford - Environment<< Longford Homepage |
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| Here's a selection of Longford Environment. Click on the 'Go to ALL' link to get the full list. |
1. Rivers |
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The Shannon RiverCo. LongfordThe west of Longford is bordered by the Upper River Shannon. Rising in County Cavan, the river flows 250 km to the sea at Limerick, the longest river in the British Isles. Throughout Ireland's turbulent history the mighty Shannon figures prominently, a great natrual barrier dividing Leinster from Connaught, east from West. The river is named for the mythical Sionan. She was supposed to have drowned whilst feeding on the famous 'Salmon of Knowledge', a privilege that was denied to all females. The importance of the Shannon has long been understood. In Celtic times the fords were jealously guarded by the rival Provinces and the Shannon acted as a natural defensive boundary for both. the Vikings sailed their longboats up its navigable waters, probing ever deeper into the heart of the country. The Normans, unable to control Connaught fortified the river to protect the rich plains of Leinster. Following his victorious campaign in Ireland Cromwell sent the defeated Irish 'to hell or to Connaught'; for thousands the crossing of the Shannon meant the surrendering of their lands and eviction from their homes. In more recent times it was used as a great system of transport and communication. The Shannon traces the complete history of Ireland through the ages, from the earliest neolithic settlements, through the glories of Clonmacnois and the monastic era and the turbulent times of the Viking, Norman and English invasions. It now serves more productive purposes, a giant hydro-electric plant having been opened at Ardnacrusha in 1929 and a power station at Shannonbridge uses peat harvested nearby. The Shannon acts as a focal point for the whole of the country. Its gentle flowing waters and broad expansive lakes have become acclaimed recreational and tourist resources. With superb coarse and game angling facilities as well as being navigable by pleasure craft and inter-linked with the Grand Canal network, the delights of the Shannon are being sampled by ever- increasing numbers annually. | |
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2. Canals |
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Royal CanalCo. LongfordExtending 90 miles (145 km) from Dublin to Tarmonbarry on the Upper River Shannon, the Royal Canal, a canal of forty-six locks, traverses a delightfully scenic route through Counties Longford, Westmeath, Meath, Kildare and Dublin. Unfortunately, the beauty of its journey failed to compensate for its lack of commercial viability. The canal was built by a disgruntled former director of the Grand Canal Company whose aim was to undermine the more successful venture of his former company. His gamble failed. The Royal Canal cost £15,000 per mile to construct (more than twice the cost of its rival) and completely bankrupted its originator as well as a number of small investors. Eventually, having reached a point west of Mullingar, County Westmeath the funds dried up. The Government had to finance the cost of completing the work as far as the Shannon. Never very successful, in 1845 the canal was sold to the Midland and Great Western Railway Company which used the land along the canal banks for their railway from Dublin to the west. This, along with the development of other speedier forms of overland transport, sounded the death-knell of the canal. Even though it was 1961 before the canal was finally officially closed for traffic, boats had long since ceased to use the route. | |
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3. Bogs |
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Wetland LandscapeCo. LongfordWetland Landscape: The profusion of bogland throughout County Longford make it an ideal location for investigating this particular type for landscape. Wetlands are places of great beauty, and highly valued elements of Ireland's tourism "product". Many wetland species of plant which are rated as "vulnerable" in Europe are still quite common in Ireland. Bog orchids, varieties of heath and sphagnum moss are still quite common in County Longford. The Ballykenny/Fishertown raised bog, an area of 94 hectares, is a protected peatland site under the auspices of the Wildlife Service. | |
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4. Islands |
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Inchcleraun IslandCo. LongfordProbably the most famous island is Inchleraun, named for a sister of Queen Maeve and remembered in Irish mythology as the place where the legendary Queen Maeve of Connaught was killed. Bathing in the tranquil waters of the lake, she was struck down by a sling-shot from one of her Ulster foes on the shore-side. | |
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5. Harbours |
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Clondra (Cloondara)Co. LongfordCloondara an attractive village 8km (5 miles) west of Longford forms the Royal Canal's terminal with the River Shannon. The cut-stone harbour known as Richmond Harbour is one of the most imposing on the River Shannon. The old stone mill wth its weir and mill pond is another fine building. Traditional music is provided on a regular basis in local hostelries. | |
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6. Visitors Centre |
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The Old School HouseAthlone Road, Co. LongfordIt served as a National School until the early 1950's. In recent years it was acquired by the Development Association from the Edgeworth Family. It and the adjoining Fair Green is being developed into a Visitors Centre, and a place of culture and recreation for the community. The building retains many of its original features such as the stone exterior staircase and the narrow entrance gate. It is hoped that when finances become available the building will house Edgeworth and O'Ferrell memorabilia. | |
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