Ardagh, County Longford

Ardagh (Irish: Ardach, older version Irish: Ardachadh, meaning "high field") is a village in County Longford, Ireland about 10 km (6.21 mi) from Longford Town. It is located off the N4 road.

Ardagh

Ardach
Village
Western elevation and lychgate of St Patrick's (Church of Ireland) church in Ardagh
Ardagh
Location of Ardagh within the Republic of Ireland
Coordinates: 53°40′1″N 7°41′36″W
CountryIreland
ProvinceLeinster
CountyCounty Longford
Population
 • Estimate 
(2008)[1]
200
Irish grid referenceN199687

History
Church of St Mel, Ardagh, viewed from the graveyard.June 2013

There are several important Early Christian sites in and near Ardagh, including the Church of St. Mel.[2] It is suggested that Saint Patrick built a church here in the fifth century and installed Saint Mel as bishop.[3]

Ardagh's Heritage Centre tracks the history of the village, including its literary associations, which include featuring pseudonymously in Oliver Goldsmith's She Stoops to Conquer, and in a poem by Eavan Boland.

Much of the village was built as an 'Estate Village' in the 19th century, based on a Swiss design by the local landlords - the Fetherston baronets. The village was awarded the Prix d'Honneur of the Entente Florale and won the Irish Tidy Towns Competition on three occasions in 1989, 1996 and 1998.[1]

Public transport

Edgeworthstown railway station is around 9 kilometres from the village. Until August 2013, Bus Éireann route "118" (Dublin-Mullingar-Longford) served Ardagh on Saturdays only allowing passengers to travel into Longford for a few hours.[4][5]

See also

References
  1. "The Tidy Towns of Ireland "Celebrating 50 years"" (PDF). TidyTowns.ie. Archived from the original (PDF) on 19 April 2016. With a population of roughly 200, Ardagh has [..] scooped the national title in 1989, 1996 and 1998
  2. ""Urban Conservation Plan" Kirsty Anne Murphie" (PDF). Longford County Council. Archived from the original (PDF) on 9 May 2016.
  3. "Ardagh", Catholic Encyclopedia, New York: Robert Appleton Company, 1907
  4. "Bus Éireann Announces Revisions to Route 115 Mullingar-Dublin service". Bus Éireann (Press Release). 22 August 2013.
  5. "Bus Éireann - Timetables - Regional Services by County". Bus Éireann. Retrieved 7 December 2014.
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