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
On Wednesday June 21st a book celebrating the centenary of An Garda Siochána in Longford was launched in Edgeworthstown Library. Our chairman Tom Dooley, a retired Garda sergeant was a member of the Centenary Committee who gathered together the information and photos for the book. Congratulations to Tom and his colleagues on their achievement. Proceeds from the sale of the book go to Longford Hospice.
As part of Heritage Week 2022 we hosted a Biodiversity Walk and Talk on Thursday 18th – Caring for our Community through Biodiversity’ which was given by Brendan Farrell. This was an entertaining and informative affair that took us along the roadsides, to the walled garden at the Manor and back to the Center for some chat and tea. Thanks to Brendan for entertaining and educating us and to those who came to the event. #biodiversity #heritageweek2022 #mariaedgeworthcentre
After a long delay due to Covid the brand new Edgeworthstown Library will be open to all on Monday 22nd November. Aided by Edgeworthstown Development Association, and Longford Library the project has finally reached completion, a magnificent new addition to our town, turning what was a blackspot in the town centre to a brand new state of the art library that is spacious, beautifully decorated and welcoming. Congratulations to all involved.
Recently local shop owner John Farrell, popular owner of J&M Gift Stores retired from his business. John was always a keen supporter of Tidy Towns, helping to sweep the street, look after flowers and sponsored hampers for the Harvest Raffles. We wish John all the best in his retirement.
Also recently we did some work around the statue of Maria Edgeworth which in on the Dublin Road just outside of town.
As part of Heritage Week 2021 a number of our volunteers attended a Biodiversity and Heritage Walk in Edgeworthstown on Sunday 15th August. Hosted by the Edgeworth Society the Walk featured contributions from Matt Farrell of the Society, local ecologist Noreen McLoughlin, tree expert and owner of Tullynally Castle Thomas Pakenham and horticulturalist Octavia Tulloch. It was an informative and enjoyable walk.
Sunday 10th November we held a wreath laying ceremony at the World War I memorial. We’d like to thank John Cahill, Tom Dooley, Dessie Rynn and Matt Farrell for their help with the organising of this ceremony and Marie Mallon for laying the wreath.
The hostilities of the First World War ceased on November 11, 1918, at 11:00 a.m. – the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month. The following year saw the first observance of a day to remember and honour those who died, including twenty seven men from this parish who are commemorated here and to give thanks for the sacrifices of those who came back from the war. Since then, Irish men have fought in other conflicts and also served and are serving with the United Nations peacekeepers and many have given their lives so that we might enjoy freedom today. They too should be remembered.
They were young, as we are young,
They served, giving freely of themselves.
To them, we pledge, amid the winds of time,
To carry their torch and never forget.
We will remember them.
On Saturday 11th of May – Heritage officer Mairead Ni Chongaile unveiled three new murals on Granard Road. These murals were commissioned by the Edgeworth Society and Edgeworthstown Tidy Towns made a financial contribution and assisted with the installation. They are a vibrant reminder of our town’s heritage and history and artist Phil Atkinson is to be commended for his great work.
L to R: Matt Farrell, Mary Kelly, Tom Dooley, Goretti Hannon, Angela Tuite, Phil Atkinson, Mairead Ni Chongaile
We held a brief wreath laying ceremony at the World War I memorial this morning 11th November to remember the 27 men of the Parish who died. Thanks to Fr Healy, Matt Farrell and Dessie Rynn for their assistance with this event. Among those who died was Private Thomas O’Rourke who wrote a poem while in Gallipoli. This poem appeared in the Longford Leader on 23rd October 1915.
The landing of the 10th Division at the Dardanelles
Composed by Prviate Thomas O’Rourke Church Street Edgeworthstown
Private O’Rourke was killed in France in 1917
It was on the 10th Day of July
A bright and sunny day
We landed at the Dardanelles
Some thousand miles away
We knew not what before us lay
But heard the shot and shell
And many a man who was there that day
The tale no more will tell
It was a bright and glorious day
Which we never will forget
When the Leinsters and the Connaughts
Went through the valley of death
It was death by fire and water
On leaving the River Clyde
But the gallant sons of Erin’s Isle
The enemy defied
We stormed a village on our right
Took trenches one by one
We forced the heights of Sedil-Bail
And captured many a gun
A blood red day was raining
But to the trenches still we clung
And I can’t explain to you
How the Turks did run
The Turks came down that night
To try and make us go
But soon they found they were
up against
A far superior foe
We made them do the Turkey trot
Across the homeland plain
We gave them gip and then a dip
And drove them back again
So rise a glass filled to the brim
Of good old Irish beer
And drink a health to the boys
That fought and knew no fear
And whenever I hear the sound of guns,
And the clamour of war din
I will never forget Gallipoli
And the struggle we were in
Well the big day has arrived and we have received our results. For the past number of years we have increased our marks and this year is no exception- increasing by 12 marks. This is down to the hard work of the volunteers and the support of the community and we’d like to thank anyone who helped out with our various activities through the year. We hope to continue improving as the years go on.
Edgeworthstown Tidy Towns 
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