Step off the usual tourist trail and discover ancient engineering, charming villages and peaceful countryside.
Longford is one of those counties that tends to get overlooked when people plan an Irish trip, and that's a shame.
From an Iron Age wooden road preserved in the bog to a cathedral rebuilt from the ashes, historic villages and lovely riverside landscapes, it's full of surprises, with literary connections and family attractions too.
You won't have to fight through crowds to enjoy any of it either!
Near Kenagh, an oak road built across the bog in 148 BC, preserved for over 2,000 years. A stretch of the original timbers is displayed inside the visitor centre.
Why visit? Archaeology, history and engineering.
Longford's cathedral was gutted by fire on Christmas morning 2009 and painstakingly restored, reopening at Christmas 2014. The result is stunning.
Why visit? Architecture, history and heritage.
Exhibitions on the Norman story of the area, with events throughout the year.
Why visit? Medieval history and families.
A huge Norman motte and bailey with wide views across the county.
Why visit? History and landscapes.
A neat 19th-century estate village. Oliver Goldsmith is said to have mistaken Ardagh House for an inn, an embarrassment he reworked into She Stoops to Conquer.
Why visit? Heritage and village wandering.
Celebrating the novelist Maria Edgeworth and her remarkable family.
Why visit? Literature and history.
A long, flat walking and cycling route along the canal through Longford's countryside, ending at the Shannon.
Why visit? Cycling, walking and nature.
A pretty waterside village where the Royal Canal meets the Shannon.
Why visit? Canals, boating and peaceful scenery.
Quiet stretches of shore on the Shannon's big lake, with views and angling.
Why visit? Nature and waterways.
Woodland walks beside Lough Gowna in the north of the county.
Why visit? Walking and photography.
A big woodland holiday village near Ballymahon with indoor and outdoor activities.
Why visit? Family breaks.
A canal-side village with an old Cistercian abbey.
Site of the final battle of the 1798 Rebellion's French campaign.
A quiet village near Corlea and the boglands.
A riverside town on the Shannon.
A pleasant town on the River Inny, in Goldsmith country.
A church with Oliver Goldsmith family connections.
Our Hidden Ireland collection is where we keep the places most visitors drive straight past.
History and legend, clearly labelled.
Tree-ring dating shows the Corlea oaks were felled in 148 BC. The road was a huge undertaking, possibly ceremonial, and it seems to have sunk into the bog within about a decade of being built.
In September 1798, a French force under General Humbert, joined by Irish rebels, was defeated at Ballinamuck. The French were treated as prisoners of war, but many Irish rebels were executed.
The great motte at Granard was raised by the Normans in the late 12th century, a statement of power over the surrounding land.
Maria Edgeworth, one of the most celebrated novelists of her day, lived and wrote at Edgeworthstown. Her novel Castle Rackrent (1800) is often called the first historical novel.
Our Friday Night Frights series explores ghost stories, myths and folklore from all over Ireland.
Realistic days, each focused on one part of the county.
Places with a strong local reputation. We haven't eaten at these ourselves yet, so treat this as a starting point rather than our personal picks, and check opening hours before you set off.
We've kept this list short and only included places we could confirm. Prices are in euro (€).
Prefer a guide, a ready-made tour or someone else to do the driving? These are good places to start:
Disclosure: GetYourGuide, Klook and TourRadar links are affiliate links. If you book through them, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Tours on TourRadar are our picks, not trips we've taken ourselves. Availability and prices change, so always check the provider's page before booking.
Opening times, tours and access arrangements change, so please check official websites before you travel. Useful links: Discover Ireland and Heritage Ireland.
Longford's neighbours:
Slán go fóill, and safe travels! — Nicola & Podge