- Saint Mel: February 6, c. 5th century: Ardagh (St. Mel’s Cathedral, Longford Town)Nephew of St. Patrick, Mel was ordained bishop of Ardagh by him. He founded a monastery at Ardagh, a key Christian center, and is Longford’s patron saint. Tradition claims he is buried under Ardagh’s church ruins. His feast is in the Martyrology of Donegal, and St. Mel’s Cathedral in Longford Town honors him.
- Saint Ciarán of Clonmacnoise: September 9, c. 516–544: Saints Island (Killashee)One of the “Twelve Apostles of Ireland,” Ciarán founded a monastery on Saints Island, Lough Ree, before establishing Clonmacnoise, Offaly. A disciple of St. Finnian, he died young. His feast is in the Martyrology of Donegal, and Killashee parish’s Saints Island, with Augustinian priory ruins, preserves his legacy.
- Saint Brigid of Kildare: February 1, c. 451–525: ArdaghIreland’s secondary patron saint, Brigid visited Ardagh before founding her Kildare monastery. Known for her generosity and miracles, like weaving a cross from rushes, her feast is in the Martyrology of Donegal. Ardagh parish’s early Christian sites reflect her influence, tying Longford to her national cult.
- Saint Guasacht: January 24, c. 5th century: GranardSon of St. Patrick’s enslaver, Miluic, Guasacht converted and became bishop of Granard. His feast is in the Martyrology of Oengus, and he is noted for his humility. Granard parish’s St. Mary’s Church and early Christian sites honor him, reflecting Longford’s Patrician connections.
- Saint Samthann: December 19, c. 8th century: ClonbroneySamthann, a female saint, founded a convent at Clonbroney, near Ballinalee. Known for her wisdom and miracles, like saving a monk from drowning, her Life is in the Vitae Sanctorum Hiberniae. Her feast is in the Martyrology of Donegal, and Clonbroney parish’s church ruins are pilgrimage sites.
- Saint Diarmaid: January 8, c. 6th century: AbbeylaraDiarmaid founded a monastery at Abbeylara, one of Longford’s Cistercian sites. An obscure saint, his feast is in the Martyrology of Donegal, and he is linked to St. Columba’s circle. Abbeylara parish’s monastic ruins preserve his legacy, reflecting Longford’s monastic heritage.
- Saint Colman of Lismore: October 27, c. 6th century: ClonguishColman, possibly Colman of Lismore, Waterford, is linked to Clonguish through missionary work. His feast is in the Martyrology of Oengus, but details are sparse. Clonguish parish’s St. Paul’s Church in Newtownforbes reflects his influence, tying Longford to Munster’s monastic network.
- Saint Sinell: October 12, c. 6th century: KillasheeSinell, possibly Sinell of Cleenish, Fermanagh, is associated with Killashee through early missionary activity. A disciple of St. Finnian, he adopted St. Benedict’s rule early. His feast is in the Martyrology of Donegal, and Killashee parish’s early Christian sites reflect Longford’s ties to Fermanagh’s saints.
- Saint Fintan: February 17, c. 6th century: BallymahonFintan, possibly Fintan of Clonenagh, Laois, is linked to Ballymahon through missionary work near Abbeyshrule. Known for his monastic rigor, his feast is in the Martyrology of Donegal. Ballymahon parish’s early sites, including Abbeyshrule’s Cistercian abbey, reflect his influence.
- Saint Mochta: August 19, c. 5th–6th century: TemplemichaelMochta, primarily associated with Louth, is linked to Templemichael through missionary activity. A disciple of St. Patrick, he founded Louth’s monastery. His feast is in the Martyrology of Donegal, and Templemichael parish’s St. John’s Church in Longford Town honors his role in Leinster’s Christianization.
- Saint Eimhin: December 22, c. 6th century: AbbeydergEimhin, possibly Eimhin of Monasterevin, Kildare, founded a monastery at Abbeyderg. Known for his scholarship, he is credited with hagiographical works. His feast is in the Martyrology of Donegal, and Abbeyderg’s Augustinian monastery ruins reflect Longford’s monastic tradition.
- Saint Columba (Colum Cille): June 9, c. 521–597: Granard (historically linked)One of Ireland’s three patron saints, Columba, a “Twelve Apostle of Ireland,” is linked to Granard through missionary work before founding Iona, Scotland. His Life by Adamnan records his miracles and exile after a dispute over a psalter. His feast is in the Martyrology of Donegal, and Granard parish reflects his influence.
Saints
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
Sacred Places
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
Holy Wells
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.
Introduction – Adventure – Anthem – Archaeology – Attractions – Awards – Birdwatching – Camping – Castles – Churches – Contact list – Cycling – Dining – Equestrian – Festivals – Fishing – Folklore – Gardens – Golf – Graveyards – Happening – Haunted – Highest – Hiking – History – Holy Wells – Hotels – Hotels top 8 – Hunting & shooting – Instagrammable – Itineraries – Largest town – Luxury – MICE – Movies – Music – Name – New – Novelists – Off the beaten track – Poets – Pubs – Quotes – Random Facts – Restaurant Awards – Sacred Places – Saints – Songs – Spas – Sports – Sunsets – Sustainable – Things to do – Towns – Video – Villages – Walking – Wanderlist – Weddings – Wild swimming – Writers – 1837 – 1846 – 1852 – 1909 – 1955 – 1980 –
