Longford is situated in the centre of Ireland on the banks of the River Camlin. It is a progressive town with a population close to 10,000. Longford Town has recently received litter free status in the IBAL League. Rich in historic and literary associations, Longford combines the best features of both urban and rural Ireland. Two National Tidy Towns winners Ardagh and Newtowncashel are located within the county.
The Department of Social, Community and Family Affairs already has offices in Longford town (Ballinalee Road). Employing over 300 people the department recently celebrated 10 years in the town.
Longford County Council Offices are located at Great Water Street, Longford Town. Longford Town Council Offices are located at Market Square, Longford Town.
Transport
Located only 75 miles from Dublin, Longford is situated on the intersection of the N5 Dublin - Westport and the N4 Dublin - Sligo national primary routes, the town has an excellent infrastructure served by bus routes and main line rail services.
Longford's central location puts all parts of Ireland within reasonable driving distance.
Rail
Longford is serviced by the Dublin to Sligo rail line which arrives/departs to/from Connolly Station. Two stations in Longford are serviced by this rail line - Longford town and Edgeworthstown.
Bus
Longford is serviced by Bus Eireann's Expressway service, forming part of the Dublin to Ballina bus service and the Dublin to Sligo bus service. There are two bus Bus Eireann stops in Co Longford - Longford town and Edgeworthstown. A bus service also operates between Athlone and Longford.
Air
Longford is within easy reach of the main airports being 1.5 hours from Dublin Airport, 2.5 hours from Shannon and 1 hour from Knock Airport. There is also a small airport in Abbeyshrule in South County Longford.
Private Transport
Longford town and the other main towns in the county are well serviced by Taxis. Private coach and minibus hire is also widely available throughout the county of Longford.
Community and Sporting Activities
Lying in the upper catchment area of the River Shannon with unspoilt lakes, Longford is a renowned angling and water sports destination.
Horse riding can be availed of at local equestrian centres, while greyhound racing takes place twice a week at the local greyhound track.
The sportsperson is spoilt for choice with a large indoor leisure centre which caters for badminton, squash and basketball. Other leisure facilities include pitch and putt, tennis and hockey. There is also a 25 metre indoor heated swimming pool, located in the Market Square.
Longford Golf Club has completely revamped its 18 hole course to open in June 2004. There are other champion golf courses nearby including Glasson, Mullingar and Athlone.
Those interested in GAA, rugby, tennis, soccer (Longford town has an Eircom Premier League of Ireland Soccer Club - Longford Town FC.) and athletics are also well catered for, with all-weather pitch availability, together with clubhouse facilities attached. Underage soccer is comprehensively catered for by the Longford Schoolboys League. Longford Town are current FAI Cup holders.
Longford contains a host of Gymnasiums. Some examples are as follows:
Fit for Life Studio, Slashers Complex, Farneyhoogan, Longford, 043 40795
Body Aspects Gym, The Mall, Templemichael, Longford, 043 46431
Shapers Toning Salon, Richmond Street, Longford, 043 46888
Longford Arms Hotel and Leisure Centre - Swimming Pool and Gymnasium, 043-46296
Longford Megabowl, Athlone Road, Longford has a 10 lane bowling alley, kiddies adventure play area, snooker hall, indoor soccer arena, video gaming, party facilities, pool and fuze ball.
The Mall Recreation & Amenity Park contains riverside walks and new children's playground.
Shopping and Eating Out in Longford
The town has a wide selection of shops and has three shopping centres. Other major shopping towns are located within an hours drive from Longford, including Athlone (26 miles), Cavan (30 miles), Mullingar (25 miles) and Tullamore (40 miles)
Longford has a range of excellent bars and restaurants, serving both international and traditional food. It also has a four screen Multiplex Cinema.
Accommodation
The Rural Renewal Scheme:
The Rural Renewal Scheme which provides tax incentives for development covers all of County Longford and other parts of the Upper Shannon region. The scheme provides incentives for development in residential, commercial and industrial properties.
The scheme is designed to promote the development of the region by providing personal tax relief for the constuction of new buildings and the refurbishment of older buildings. Relief for the expenditure is given over a ten year period. There are terms and conditions attached to the scheme which is due to finish on 31 July 2006 (latest date for receipt of full planning application by the Planning Authority is 31 December 2004).
Further information on the scheme can be obtained from:
Lyons Keenan Kilemade, Chartered Accountants, Church Street, Longford
Phone: 043 41900
Fax: 043 41754
Email: info @ lkk.ie
or
Department of the Environment
Rural Renewal Section
Room F9/10
Government Offices
Ballina Co Mayo
Phone: 096 70677
Fax: 096 70680
House Prices:
Longford has a lot to offer individual/families interested in re-locating there.
House/apartment prices vary greatly, e.g. a 2 bed detached house in Abbeylara can be purchased for Euro70,000 approx, where a 4 ded detached house in Longford town can be purchased for Euro220,000.
There are a number of new housing developments in Longford town as follows:
Oaklands, Ballinalee Road, Longford town (3, 4 and 5 bed houses and apartments available)
Clonbalt Woods, Drumlish Road, Longford town (3, 4 and 5 bed detached houses) - Prices in this estate vary from Euro235,000 to Euro420,000
Prospect Wood, Longford Town (houses and apartments)
St Albans, Battery Road, Longford town (apartments)
Cuirt on Oir Apartments, Athlone Road, Longford
There are numerous other housing options available both in Longford town and county. Information can be obtained from the following websites or by contacting local Estate Agents.
www.propertypartners.ie
www.myhome.ie
Quinn Bros, Main Street, Longford
Phone: 043 46237
Fax: 043 46082
Email: quinnbr @ propertypartners.ie
Web: www.quinnbros.ie
Brady McDonagh Casey Estate Agents, Dublin Street, Longford
Phone: 043 46810/46811
Fax: 043 46010
Email: property @ bmdc.ie
Web: www.bmdc.ie
Sherry & Fitzgerald Estate Agents, 8 Grafton Court, Longford Town, Co Longford
Phone: 043 45822
Fax: 043 45823
Schools
Longford county has a wide range of high quality schools, including Pre-Schools, Primary and Secondary. St. Mel's College in Longford Town is a highly regarded second level school.
There are 35 national schools and 10 secondary schools throughout the county, with easy access to 3rd level in Dublin, Athlone, Sligo and Galway.
Healthcare
Longford Westmeath General Hospital, where acute medical care is provided, is located in Mulligar, Co Westmeath. Phone 044 40221.
St Joseph's Hospital, Longford provides a casualty facility and geriatric facilities.
The County Clinic is located in the grounds of St Joseph's Hospital and the following services are provided here: X Ray Department Monday to Friday, 9:30am to 5pm, Outpatients clinic, Visiting Consultants, Dental Department (Orthodontist and Dentists) - Monday to Friday.
Longford Casualty Unit, Dublin Road, Longford is open Monday to Thursday from 9am to 9pm and has 24 hour cover from Friday to Sunday. Phone 043 46211.
Longford Health Centre in Longford Town is located on the Dublin Road. It is the administrative headquarters for the Midland Health Board in the county. Facilities here include community welfare, speech therapy, home help, medical card, environmental health and child and family centre.
Other Information:
On the industrial front, many new companies both indigenous and overseas have recently commenced trading in Longford, while many more exciting startups are anticipated. Abbott Laboratories, Green Isle Foods and Triad Systems are some of the new industries to Longford, which have created excellent employment in the town.
Further information on Longford town and county can be obtained from the following websites:
Longford Tourism - www.longford.ie
Longford County Council - www.longfordcoco.ie
Longford Chamber of Commerce - www.longford-chamber.com |
