In Longford, circular walks, a town trail and glimpses of canal history offer different ways to explore the area. The Mall runs through a landscaped park along the banks of the River Camlin; the Longford Town Trail leads through the town centre to the start of the Royal Canal Greenway. You can tailor your stay to your interests in parkland, sights or canal-side paths.
Circular Walks and Paths Along the Royal Canal
The Mall, also known as Albert Reynolds Peace Park, is a 2.6 km circular walking route. Its setting along the River Camlin connects the route with a landscaped park. If you would rather walk through the town, you can choose the Longford Town Trail: this circular route goes through the town centre, past important sights in Longford, and to the start of the Royal Canal Greenway at Longford Branch.
Longford Branch is not navigable, but many people use it for walking, running and cycling. Longford Town is one of the larger settlements along the Royal Canal Greenway, which is also used for walking and cycling. The routes offer different ways to explore Longford: a circuit through the park, a walk around the town or some exercise along the canal. Check route conditions before setting out on a Greenway section.
The Mall is also where Longford Parkrun takes place: a free 5 km event that you can walk, jog or run every Saturday morning. If you would like to include it in your stay, check the schedule again before your trip. A free audio guide is available for the walk around Longford Town, with additional information about the sights. It adds commentary to your walk without requiring you to choose another route.
The Cathedral and Traces of Canal History
St. Mel’s Cathedral is a prominent building in Longford. Its distinctive features include limestone columns and elaborate plasterwork, as well as a pipe organ and liturgical art by contemporary Irish and international artists. Visitors interested in architecture and art will find a different focus here from the routes by the water.
Canal history is also reflected in specific buildings: the Royal Canal Greenway approaches the filled-in harbour at Longford Town. There, visitors can see the original harbourmaster’s house and the former Royal Canal ticket office. These two buildings offer a tangible connection to the harbour’s former use. Together with the unnavigable Longford Branch, they tell the story of a canal area that is now also used for walking, running and cycling.
More Destinations in County Longford
County Longford extends beyond Longford Town. The Royal Canal Greenway is a 130 km walking and cycling route from Maynooth in County Kildare to Clondra in County Longford. Its infrastructure includes 90 bridges, 33 locks, 17 harbours and four aqueducts. These figures describe the route across the wider travel area, not just the section through Longford Town.
A section between Cloonbreany and Mosstown Harbour runs alongside Corlea Bog in County Longford. The bog is home to the Corlea Trackway, an ancient wooden trackway dating to 148 BC. A short detour from the Royal Canal Greenway leads to the Corlea Trackway Visitor Centre. Those who would like to include older history alongside paths and canal structures will find a dedicated point of interest here in County Longford.
The National Famine Way offers another historical perspective. This waymarked walking and cycling route passes through County Longford and follows the last known journey on Irish soil of 1,490 people who were forced to leave Strokestown in County Roscommon in 1847. Its historical connection is therefore quite different from that of the buildings and routes along the Royal Canal.
Plan Your Journey in County Longford
The rail service in County Longford is also relevant when planning your trip: the Dublin–Sligo line serves the stations at Longford Town and Edgeworthstown. Check timetables and connections with Irish Rail before travelling. This lets you consider Longford as a place to stay in relation to your own travel plans and decide which of the county’s paths and cultural sites suit your itinerary.
Discover more destinations: Granard, Cloondara, Moyne, Lanesborough, Edgeworthstown, Ballymahon, Killashee, Mosstown.
For the broader travel overview: County Longford.
