The Royal Canal Greenway runs through County Longford. The 130 km walking and cycling route stretches from Maynooth in County Kildare to Clondra in County Longford. The Greenway includes 90 bridges, 33 locks, 17 harbours and four aqueducts. These varied structures give the route a distinctive profile and form part of its character as a walking and cycling trail.
The National Famine Way also runs through County Longford, here along the Royal Canal Greenway. The waymarked walking and cycling route follows the last known journey on Irish soil of 1,490 people who were forced to leave Strokestown in County Roscommon in 1847. The route thus connects a present-day trail with a specific story of displacement and departure.
Woodland paths and landscapes
Newcastle Woodland, a 325-hectare mixed forest managed by Coillte, is located in Newcastle near Ballymahon. It extends along both sides of the River Inny, an important tributary of the River Shannon. The forest has a total of 14 km of paths, with routes of varying lengths. These include a 400 m Access for All trail and a 1 km wheelchair-accessible trail. Check the current condition of the paths and accessible facilities before your visit.
You can find a different kind of trail in Ballinamuck: the Edenmore Bog Walk is a 4.5 km national loop trail. The loop offers a distinct experience alongside the long Greenway, which runs from Maynooth to Clondra. Trail conditions and access may change; check the current situation before your visit.
Corn Hill also shapes the county’s landscape. At 278 m, it is the highest summit in County Longford. Two ancient passage tomb cairns stand at its summit. The hill is also known as Cairn Hill or Carn Clonhugh; its different names point to a striking place in the landscape and in prehistory.
History in Ballinamuck and beyond
In Ballinamuck, you can learn about the 1798 battle in two different ways. The waymarked Ballinamuck Battle Trail passes through the battlefield landscape where the events took place. Waymarking and access may change, so it is worth checking the current conditions before your visit. The Ballinamuck Visitor Centre presents interactive information and local guided explanations of the battle. If you plan a visit, contact the centre in advance to clarify the arrangements.
The Knights & Conquests Heritage Centre, an interactive heritage site, is located in Granard. In Edgeworthstown, the Maria Edgeworth Centre combines a reconstruction of a traditional 19th-century classroom with a self-guided visit. This is available in seven languages: English, Irish, Spanish, German, Italian, French and Chinese. Check the current visitor offerings in advance.
On the water and by rail
Lough Ree Boat Trips offers accessible boat trips on Lough Ree and water-based experiences for visitors, including wheelchair users, departing from Lanesborough Marina in Lanesborough. Sightseeing trips go to Quaker Island and Barley Harbour. If you are planning a specific trip, check the current departure times.
For rail travel, the Dublin–Sligo route is a useful guide: it serves County Longford and includes Longford Town and Edgeworthstown stations. Timetables and service patterns may change, so check the latest information from Irish Rail before travelling.
Discover more destinations: Killashee, Edgeworthstown, Longford, Lanesborough, Mosstown, Granard, Ballymahon, Cloondara, Moyne
For the broader travel overview: Leinster.
