Locals say this is Ireland’s most misunderstood town. It has gone from rough reputation to high-end destination. A gem about to be discovered, its affordability and work-life balance have made it one of the best places to live in Ireland.
This misunderstood town’s combination of charm and grit is reminiscent of an authentic Ireland few people still get to experience.
The community-driven nature of the place and the people is one of the reasons locals will tell you that Longford Town is an up-and-coming location and to get in before everyone else figures it out!
Longford Town has a lot going for it, and has been flying below the radar for a long time.
Charm and grit – this is authentic Ireland
Home to Mel’s Cathedral, which was rebuilt a few years ago, this beautiful church is like a breath of Italy in Ireland. There is also an Iron Age road here, preserved in the bog.
It’s authentic Ireland. There are plenty of places that play up to the tourist trade, but Longford isn’t one of them. If you are seeking the pure, unadulterated Irish experience, Longford is the place to be.
Your money goes far here, too – Longford is the cheapest place to buy a house in Ireland. Since there aren’t many visitors, you can get a luxury experience for less money than you’d expect to fork out in places like Dublin or Galway.
Center Parcs Longford Forest – a tropical spa getaway
Center Parcs Longford Forest has a tropical swimming pool and an attached spa, Aqua Sana, which is considered one of the best in Ireland.
A night or two in Center Parcs is a fantastic getaway for the entire family. As well as the spa, there are activities like forest biking, water sports, pottery, and even aerial activities.
The great news for dog owners is that some of their accommodation is dog-friendly, so there’s no leaving your furry friends behind.
The Royal Canal Greenway – the smooth road to Dublin
The Royal Canal Greenway is a flat, car-free path that you can walk or cycle on all the way to Dublin, 130 km (81 miles) away.
This is a fantastic day out for all ages and abilities that follows along the pretty banks of the Royal Canal.
Traversing through Kildare, Meath, and Westmeath as well as Longford, venturing the Royal Canal Greenway is a great way to experience some of Ireland’s most underrated counties.
Dedication to the arts – creative and innovative
Longford Lights, a local lantern festival, has made Longford Town the unofficial lantern capital of Ireland.
Backstage Theatre offers a central hub for the arts, offering performances both local and visiting from Dublin, Cork, or further afield.
Longford Town is undergoing a 14 million euro renovation to turn the Sean Connolly Barracks into a cultural hub, including a recording studio.
Shopping in Longford town – unique and high-fashion
For those interested in a unique shopping experience, Fabiani is a ‘lifestyle store’, which won the Retail Store of the Year Awards and includes a coffeeshop, yoga studio, and brow bar.
Aine’s Boutique has been a town institution for over thirty years, offering personalised service like lingerie fitting and in-house styling.
Unique Boutique offers several European brands not available elsewhere, and is known for its relaxing atmosphere.
Enjoy a perfect pint at the Tally-Ho, which has been pulling them since 1875, or head to Market Bar and Restaurant for an award-winning meal. Eddie V’s, or Valentine’s, is an iconic pub filled with antiques, located on Main Street.
Centre of industry – a hardworking town
On the other end of the scale, Longford retains its agricultural heart, where the grit of the cattle market is still a weekly event.
As well as maintaining its cultural heart, the pharmaceutical and manufacturing industries are well represented in the town as well.
Into the future – work-life balance and connectivity
Longford has been recently ranked as one of Ireland’s best towns for work-life balance, especially due to its full fibre connectivity and its low cost of living combined with a high quality lifestyle.
There are multiple co-working hubs in the town, and the quality of life available there due to its overall affordability is second to none.
Longford Town has developed from a misunderstood town into a beautiful, neighbourly community, with award-winning restaurants and chic little cafés, side by side with the workaday grit of the cattle market and the agricultural soul of the region.
If you are looking for the intersection where luxury meets the authentic, Longford Town is worth a look.
