National Famine Commemoration – The Event

National Famine Commemoration Event 2024. After a hectic few weeks of cleaning, painting, sweeping, window dressing and flower planting the big day came in a blaze of sunshine. From early morning crowds began to gather in the Green, the scene was set for the Taoiseach Simon Harris’s arrival, the Army Band struck up the music and the event kicked off. There was a mix of speeches, poetry reading, letter reading and music, followed by wreath laying, plaque unveiling and tree planting, the flag was raised to full mast and the main event was over. The Taoiseach paid a visit to the Maria Edgeworth Centre in the company of Matt Farrell, followed by a media session with the Taoiseach.
Once again thanks to Longford County Council and Longford Library Services who picked Edgeworthstown to host this event. Credit to local Community Groups, Edgeworthstown Traders Association, Edgeworthstown District Development, Edgeworthstown Tidy Towns, CO:WORX and the Edgeworth Society for helping out on the day. Everything ran off smoothly and we can be proud of our efforts.

National Famine Commemoration May 24

Over the past few days and weeks community groups and traders have been working hard to make our town look spectacular for the National Famine Commemoration event taking place tomorrow the 19th May. Congratulations to all who have worked so hard, everything is coming together nicely and we hope the sun will shine on another big Sunday event. #Longford #YourCouncil #AnGortaMór #FamineCommemoration

Spring Clean 24 Update

A big thank you to all those who participated in this years Spring Clean on a nice Spring afternoon, to all those who cleaned up their roads or estates, to those who took to the byroads to bring in the litter and a special mention to Madison who was our youngest participant on the day and was an enthusiastic litter picker. When all the rubbish is gathered we’ll post a photo of the end result. If you took photos in your area please send them on. Once again thank you to everyone who came out.

Addition: Once again a big thank you to all who helped clean up around our town and parish. We filled a skip but as time goes on perhaps these skips will get smaller.

Edit: We’d also like to mention Ciara Duffy of Duffy’s SuperValu here in town who donated ten pickers to us. Thanks Ciara!

Spring Clean 2024

Edgeworthstown Tidy Towns are holding their annual Spring Clean on April 13th 2024 at 2 p.m. We will be meeting at the library. We encourage people to carry out a clean in their own area – street, estate or road. If you have bags filled and need them collected then contact Tom Dooley or any of the committee. If you cannot do the Saturday and another day suits then please go ahead and let us know what section you are doing. If you need pickers, bags or other items please also let us know.

We have some big events coming up in May and judging starts then too so it would be great to get the town looking it’s best. So come along out and help, not just that day but other days too. Also, please be safe on the roads!.

National Famine Commemoration 2024

We are delighted to say that Edgeworthstown will host the 2024 National Famine Commemoration.

This year’s National Famine Commemoration is set to unfold in Edgeworthstown, Co. Longford on Sunday, May 19th, 2024. This upcoming event marks a significant occasion. The public ceremony presents an opportunity for the people of Longford and neighbouring counties to pay homage to the memory of those who perished or sought refuge to a new life abroad during the Great Irish Famine.

Notably, this marks the first instance of the State Commemoration occurring in County Longford. Following the tradition of previous years, the event will feature military honours and will culminate in a solemn wreath-laying ceremony as a tribute to all those who suffered or perished during this historical period.

We look forward to this solemn occasion that recalls such a tragic period in our Nation’s history and remembering the efforts of Maria Edgeworth to relive the suffering our town.

You can read the full Government Press Release here

Christmas Market and Fun Day 16th December

We will be at the Christmas Fun Day in the Community Centre on the 16th. If you are interested in getting involved or want to know about what we do then why not come and say hello.

Tidy Towns AGM

Edgeworthstown Tidy Towns are holding their annual AGM in the Green on Saturday 25th November at 3.00 p.m. All are welcome.

Longford Halloween Festival

We have been asked to give a mention to the Halloween Festival in Longford.

Dead of Night Halloween Festival from 27th to 31st

There are no age limits

On Saturday and Sunday it is 5 euro per child , all activities are included

On Tuesday there is free, parade starts at 7pm, can line up on Main street and Bridge street to watch it pass and then there is the bonfire finale ( no fireworks though) with music and a haunted house.

Full details here – https://www.longfordcoco.ie/halloween/dead-of-night/

Poetry

Recently our treasurer Margaret Hayden had some poetry published in a new collection of poetry called ‘Windows to my memories’. Below is an image of the book cover and two of Margaret’s poems which she has kindly allowed us to reproduce here. Poems are copyright Margaret Hayden.

Book Launch

Margaret Hayden our Tidy Towns treasurer had her writing put into a book recently called “A Way with Words”. Other contributors were Bernadette Conlon and Timi Owalabi. They are being supported by Longford Community Resources clg (LCRL) , The Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme (SICAP) and Slaintecare healthy communities programme. The collection was launched by Mary Carleton Reynolds, a former Longford County Librarian. We wish all involved every success in the future. Congratulations Margaret from all of us.