- Declan Nerney: Singer-songwriter (country, Irish) from Drumlish, County Longford. Born September 27, 1959. A leading figure in Irish country music, Nerney’s hits include “Stop at the Red Light” and “The Marquee in Drumlish.” He tours extensively, representing Longford’s contemporary music scene.
- John Joe Gannon: Traditional musician (accordion) from Ballinalee, County Longford. Born 1920s. Died 1980s. A renowned accordion player, Gannon was a key figure in Longford’s traditional music scene, performing at local sessions and fleadh competitions. His style influenced the region’s céilí bands.
- Paddy Reynolds: Traditional musician (fiddle) from Longford Town, County Longford. Born 1920 Died 2005. A master fiddler, Reynolds emigrated to New York, where he became a prominent figure in Irish-American music circles. His recordings, including duets with Charlie Mulvihill, preserved Longford’s fiddle tradition.
- Seán Mac Eoin: Traditional musician (flute) from Granard, County Longford. Born 1930s. Mac Eoin is a respected flautist in Longford’s traditional music community, known for his performances at local pubs and Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann events.
- Mary Smith: Traditional singer (sean-nós) from Edgeworthstown, County Longford. Born 1940s. Smith is a sean-nós singer whose unaccompanied ballads reflect Longford’s oral tradition. She has performed at regional folk festivals, preserving local songs.
- Joe Callaghan: Traditional musician (banjo, mandolin) from Newtownforbes, County Longford. Born 1940s. Callaghan is a multi-instrumentalist known for his banjo and mandolin playing in Longford’s céilí bands, contributing to the county’s traditional music heritage.
- Lisa O’Neill: Singer-songwriter (folk, indie) from Longford (born in Dublin but spent significant time in Longford). Born 1982. O’Neill’s albums, like Heard a Long Gone Song, blend folk with raw storytelling. Her time in Longford influenced her connection to rural Irish themes, earning her critical acclaim.
- Mick Foster: Musician, singer (country, folk) from Ardagh, County Longford. Born November 25, 1947. Half of the duo Foster & Allen, Foster’s accordion playing and vocals on songs like “A Bunch of Thyme” have made the group a staple in Irish country music, with global sales of over 20 million records.
- Tony Allen: Singer (country, folk) from Mount Temple, County Westmeath; lived in Longford (significant career connection). Born February 24, 1951. The other half of Foster & Allen, Allen’s vocals complement Foster’s accordion. Their work, including hits like “Maggie,” reflects Longford’s influence on their career.
- Pádraig Ó Caoimh: Traditional musician (uilleann pipes) from Lanesborough, County Longford. Born 1950s. Ó Caoimh is a skilled uilleann piper, performing at local sessions and teaching younger musicians, contributing to Longford’s traditional music legacy.
Musicians
Antrim – Armagh – Carlow – Cavan – Clare – Cork – Derry – Donegal – Down – Dublin – Fermanagh – Galway – Kerry – Kildare – Kilkenny – Laois – Leitrim – Limerick – Longford – Louth – Mayo – Meath – Monaghan – Offaly – Roscommon – Sligo – Tipperary – Tyrone – Waterford – Westmeath – Wexford – Wicklow
County Longford:
Ireland’s county Longford offers a peaceful blend of history and countryside, with the Corlea Trackway Visitor Centre showcasing an ancient Iron Age road. The county’s St Mel’s Cathedral in Longford town provides architectural beauty, while the River Inny offers opportunities for kayaking and fishing. Other attractions include the rolling farmlands and historic Ardagh village. Longford is Ireland’s fourth smallest county by size and second smallest by population (46,751). Population peaked at 115,491 in 1841 and reached its lowest point, 28,250 in 1971. In terms of hospitality, Longford is Ireland’s 32nd most visited and Ireland’s least visited tourist county with around 22,000 international visitors per year.
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