Longford Gifts

Wildlife Watercolour illustrated Cards

A5 cards printed on 300gm 100% recycled card, full colour from original watercolour illustrations by Mary Fleming. The cards are provided with 100% recycled brown kraft envelopes and packaged individually in biodegradable sleeves. The wildlife species featured are mostly indigenous or long-established in the midlands of Ireland. 

Fireside Tales from around Longford town and county

'Fireside Tales' are hugely popular books by well known and much respected Longford historian Jude Flynn.  Jude has recorded and documented local events of the past century along with Longford folklore and history for many years and released his first edition back in 2003. 

The books are a fascinating collection of stories recorded from Longford people dealing with the social history of town and county and covers such subjects as; buying and selling in the past, stories of market and fair days, changes in farming patterns, traditional cures, old crafts, and old customs.  'Fireside Tales' are available to buy from Longford Tourist Office for €20 each or see www.longfordfiresidetales.com for more information.

Paddy Egan 

Paddy Egan is a local historian, author and broadcaster who has written and edited many publications over the years including 'Rambles in Kilcommack' and his latest book, 'The Swinging Sixties'.  Paddy’s books are crammed with local history and famous personalities and are always a popular addition to a Christmas gift list.  In time those publications will be an important source of local historic research for those tracing their ancestors.

You can buy both of the above books (€5 for 'Rambles in Kilcommack' or €10 for 'The Swinging Sixties') in Longford Tourist Office or contact Paddy at 086 3718169 to purchase direct.

Longford Memories

The resilience, generosity of spirit and positive outlook of people over 70 in Longford has been captured in ‘Longford Memories, Reflections in a Time of Pandemic’ by photographer and storyteller, Brian Farrell.

Commissioned by Longford County Council through the Creative Ireland programme, the project was seen as a great opportunity to reach out to the county’s older citizens, particularly those living alone, and capture their memories as they emerged from ‘cocooning.’  ‘Longford Memories, Reflections In A Time of Pandemic‘ contains 30 inspiring stories, many of which are from the farming community.  The book is available to purchase from Longford Branch Library for €5.

Longford Landscapes

'Longford Landscapes', a book of photographs of natural and urban landscapes from across the county was launched in Kenagh’s Corlea Trackway Interpretative Centre on 15th March 2022.  

The first book of its kind, Longford Landscapes is filled with images taken from all over the county by local photographers.  It showcases many well-known and well-loved locations, such as Corlea Bog Walk, Corn Hill, and St Mel’s Cathedral, as well as some of the county’s best kept secrets.

The book is available to purchase from the Longford Tourist Office, Longford Branch Library and also from Longford Arts Office.  The price is €20 and all proceeds from the sale of the book will go to the charity GOAL to assist with the emergency situation in Ukraine. 

St Mel's Cathedral Visitor's Guide

A beautiful book for any visitor to the iconic St Mel's Cathedral, Longford.  Discover more about this majestic building which was almost destroyed by fire in 2009 and completely restored by 2014.  Read about the history and background with this great visitor's guide. 

Available to purchase from St Mel's Cathedral or from Longford Tourist Office, €5.00 per book.

Longford's Republican Story

Longford’s Republican Story 1900- 2000 by Seán Ó Súilleabháin is the biggest and most significant book ever written on County Longford. The county was a hotbed of activity in the War of Independence under the leadership of General Seán Mac Eoin, “The most active county outside of Munster.” The names of 3,200 IRA men from that period are listed and the author spent a whole year identifying each person and establishing their townlands.

970 Cumann na mBan members are also listed. Subsequent episodes throughout the century are covered, including the Civil War, the rise and fall of the Blueshirts, Longford men’s involvement in the Spanish Civil War and internment during the 1940s. Two major incidents from the early 1940s were the shooting of Barney Casey in the Curragh Camp and the execution of Richard Goss in 1941.  The book is available to purchase in the Longford Tourist Office for €35.00 or online from www.buythebook.ie.