Pallas

Birthplace of Oliver Goldsmith

Born in Pallas, close to Ballymahon, County Longford, Oliver Goldsmith (10 November 172 – 4 April 1774) was an Anglo-Irish novelist, playwright and poet.

He is best known for his novel The Vicar of Wakefield (1766), his pastoral poem The Deserted Village (1770), and his plays The Good-Natur’d Man (1768) and She Stoops to Conquer (1771, first performed in 1773).

Pallas

Pallas is located outside the town of Ballymahon, near Newcastle Demesne. This was the site of the Goldsmith family home and where Oliver Goldsmith was born. At Pallas, you can view the Goldsmith commemoration statue along with a plaque and a beautiful garden.

Close by, there is Forgney, the site of the village church where Goldsmith was baptised. Within this church, there is a memorial window to the author.

Oliver Goldsmith International Literary Festival

The third-longest running festival of its type in Ireland, the Oliver Goldsmith International Literary Festival takes place over the June bank holiday weekend every year. Founded to celebrate the literary genius of Goldsmith, it explore his life, writing and society at the time. Visitors can expect talks and events with renowned critics, poets, commentators and academics.

Find out more at OliverGoldsmithFestival.com.