Located in Ireland's Hidden Heartlands, Longford is a beautiful county with lots to see and do.
With all these factors in mind, Hospitality Ireland decided to examine the top ten visitor attractions in Longford, based on Fáilte Ireland’s Visitor Attractions Survey 2022.
1. Corlea Trackway Visitor Centre
(11,430)
Corlea Trackway Visitor Centre is the top tourist attraction in Longford with 11,430 visitors as of 2022.
At Corlea, wooden causeways were laid across the growing bog in 148 BC. The bog has undergone conservation work to keep it wet so that visitors can see what it really looked like in ancient times.
An 18 metre long section of the original trackway, the largest of its kind ever excavated in Europe, is on display in the visitor centre.
2. Lough Red Distillery
(3,000)
Lough Ree Distillery is a family-owned business, set up by Clancy siblings Peter, Sheila, and Michael in Lanesborough on the banks of the River Shannon as it opens out into Lough Ree.
They have been distilling gin & vodka at the micro-distillery since 2018 and started distilling Irish Whiskey there in 2022, making it Ireland’s smallest GI Verified Irish Whiskey Distillery.
The visitor experience is not yet open for visitors but whiskey, gin and vodka tastings and behind the scenes tours of our micro-distilllery can be arranged upon request.
3. Maria Edgeworth Centre
(3,000)
The Maria Edgeworth Visitor Centre in Edgeworthstown is in one of Ireland’s oldest national school buildings that opened in 1841.
The venue pays homage to the celebrated 18th century novelist Maria Edgeworth, a notable pioneer of literature, a feminist and social commentator of her time. Using a combination of audio, visual and interactive displays in seven languages, visitors can learn about a progressive thinking family and how they played a major role in the establishment of the Irish national school system.
Visitors can enhance their experience by taking the Edgeworthstown Heritage & Literary Walk which is a guided walking tour through the town's past.
4. Knights And Conquests Heritage Centre
(1,200)
The Knights and Conquests Exhibition Centre in Granard allows visitors to find out more about the Normans.
Weapons training is provided and visitors can hear the stories of Henry II, King Rory O’Connor, and Pope Adrian IV.
Those in attendance are encouraged to climb the 12th century Motte afterwards.
5. Cloughan Farm & Cookery School
(240)
At Cloughan Farm & Cookery School, visitors are encouraged to reconnect with land and food in the company of Longford Hero Food Champions Fiona Egan and her husband Michael Farrell.
Guests can learn about Ireland’s proud agricultural and culinary heritage.
Those in attendance can get hands-on in the kitchen, recreating Irish dishes and desserts with fresh farm ingredients, from kitchen garden vegetables to grass fed beef and lamb, free range reared poultry, bacon and pork.
