County Longford - Heritage/Historical<< Longford Homepage |
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| Here's a selection of Longford Heritage/Historical.Click on the 'Go to ALL' link to get the full list. |
1. Museums |
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Longford Museum and Heritage CentreLr Main Street, Co. LongfordThe building now houses the collected memorabilia of the Historical Society. Authentic folk kitchen of the pre-1920's complete with settle bed and loft. Also on display is an Elk's Antler believed to be 4,000 years old, found near the river Inny, the Aughafad Cross, dating from 10th century, a jacket worn by General Sean McEoin, and a gold watch given by Michael Collins to his Granard born girfriend Kitty Kiernan bearing the inscription from Michael to Kitty - Date 8/10/1921. Show me all the details for Longford Museum and Heritage Centre | |
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2. Homes (Historical) |
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Edgeworthstown HouseCo. LongfordIt was known as the Porter House, there were coach houses either side of the arch, Maria Edgeworth taught school in the upstairs room. As you move on you will see St. Marys catholic church which was built on a site donated by the Edgeworth Family The gate lodge located at the entrance to Edgeworthstown House has been preserved in its near original state and is a listed building. From here the avenue leads to the main house which was built by Richard Lovell Edgeworth in the 1720's, it was occupied by the Edgeworth Family until 1935, when it was purchased by Mr. Noonan who donated the house and 50 acres to the Sisters of Mercy who run a very successful Nursing Home. Over the years the building has changed but many of the original features remain. The house has welcomed many distinguished visitors including Sir Walter Scott and William Wordsworth. | |
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3. Monuments |
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Clonfin MonumentClonfin, Co. LongfordThis Monument is a memorial to the men of the North Longford Flying Column who took part in an ambush on Auxiliary forces on the 2nd February, 1921. The Flying Column was led by General Sean McEoin "The Blacksmith of Ballinalee". | |
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4. Motte (Historical) |
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Granard MotteCo. LongfordThe remains consist of a tall motte (said to be the largest in Ireland) and an extensive bailey, most of it surrounded by a deep ditch and bank. On top of the motte stands an incongruous statue of St. Patrick erected in 1932. | |
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5. Archaeological |
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Home of Fr. MulloolyRev. Joseph Mullooly , Lahery, Co. LongfordThis house at Lehery, Lanesboro, County Longford was the home of Rev. Joseph Mullooly. Fr. Mullooly's claim to fame is as the archaeologist who discovered the ancient temple of Mithras in Rome beneath more recent buildings which dated from the twelfth century. This is one of the most interesting and popular monuments of Christian history, and one of Rome's greatest attractions. Fr. Mullooly died in 1880 and is buried in the cemetery of San Lorenzo. | |
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6. Dolmens |
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AughacliffeCo. LongfordOne of a small group of portal tombs which have two capstones 9others include Knockeen in Waterford, Kilmogue in Kilkenny and the Kempe Stones in Down). Like many 'dolmens' it stands in a hollow, so that the visitor's initial view of it is from above. The main capstone is 9 feet long and rests at the front on the single remaining portal stone, 6 feet high, on which a small Christian cross has been inscribed, apparently recently. The lower capstone is supported on the chamber uprights and, as it now stands, the whole presents an eye-catching study in balance. | |
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7. Tombs |
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AughacliffeCo. LongfordOne of a small group of portal tombs which have two capstones 9others include Knockeen in Waterford, Kilmogue in Kilkenny and the Kempe Stones in Down). Like many 'dolmens' it stands in a hollow, so that the visitor's initial view of it is from above. The main capstone is 9 feet long and rests at the front on the single remaining portal stone, 6 feet high, on which a small Christian cross has been inscribed, apparently recently. The lower capstone is supported on the chamber uprights and, as it now stands, the whole presents an eye-catching study in balance. | |
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8. Crosses (Historical) |
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Cistercian AbbeyCo. LongfordFounded in 1150, the Cistercian Abbey at Abbeyshrule, in the picturesque valley of the River Inny, east of Ballymahon, was one of the first in the country, following rapidly on the success of Mellifont. Founded by the O'Farrells, the monastery survived a destructive fire in 1476 but was eventually closed by Queen Elizabeth I following the Tudor suppression of the monasteries. The lands were granted to Robert Dillon, Earl of Roscommon. The adjoining graveyard contains the shaft of the only surviving High Cross in County Longford. | |
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9. Monastic Sites |
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Saint's IslandCo. LongfordOn Saint's Island stand the more modern ruins of an Augustinian monastery. It flourished during the fourteenth century under the scholarly Abbot, Augustin Magraidin, but the ravages of time took their toll and the site lay derelict for centuries. | |
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10. Abbeys |
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Abbeyshrule Cistercian AbbeyCo. LongfordAbbeyshrule 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 Melifont 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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11. Churches (Historical) |
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Ardagh Ecclesiastical VillageCo. LongfordTo the south-east of Longford Town (on the L18) lies an ecclesiastical village of great antiquity which has imparted its name to the surrounding diocese. St. Patrick founded a church here in the fifth century and installed St. Mell as bishop. Near the present Church of Ireland church are the ancient ruins of St. Mel's Cathedral, a simple stone construction which replaced the original wooden structure. St. Mel himself is said to be buried within the walls. | |
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12. Monastery |
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Inchcleraun Early MonasteryInchcleraun, Co. LongfordSituated on an island in Lough Ree, this monastery was founded probably in the first quarter of the 6th century by St. Diarmuid, teacher of St. Ciaran of Clonmacnois. The island is also associated with the legendary Queen Maeve who is said to have been killed by a stone fired by the sling of an Ulsterman from the shore one mile away, while she was bathing there. The earliest structure is probably St. Diarmuid's, a small rectangular tomb-shrine with antae and a flat-headed doorway. Twelve feet to the north stands Teampul Mor, the big Church, built possibly in the 13th century, probably for the Augustinian canons. It is a rectangular church with chancel, to which a nave was added later. The Church of the Dead is a small rectangular church which is now ruined. To the south of this group of churches is the Women's Church which may have been dedicated to the Blessed Virgin. On the highest point of the island is the Belfry Church, a medieval church which is unusual in that it has a square tower at the west end and stairs with tow doors in the north wall. The men of Munster plundered the monastery in 1010, and it was plundered again in 1057 and 1193. | |
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13. Mills (Historical) |
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Ballymacrolly HillCo. LongfordThis old mill with its Danish architecture dates back to about the 11th Century and was a focal point in the lives of the local inhabitants, especially the farming community. In the early 19th Century there was a brewery and distillery on this site. | |
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14. Stone Circles |
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AbbeylaraAbbeylara, Co. LongfordIn 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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15. Town Information |
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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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16. Hills (Historical) |
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Cairn HillCo. LongfordCairn hill is the famous Sliabh Cairbe in Annaly, Barony of Granard. It is said that Farbuide Fer Benn who revenged the killing of his mother by Medbh is buried there. The hill lies north of Longford Town, about half way between Drumlish and Ballinalee. It is about 300 metres above sea leave, and commands a panoramic view from its summit. A booster station with a 100 metres high mast for television transmission by Radio Telefis Eireann is now situated on top of the hill. | |
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