Longford

Longford, an inland county of Leinster, Ireland, bounded on the W. by the Shannon and on the SW. by Lough Ree. Its maximum length is 29 miles, its maximum breadth 20. Area, 421 sq. m. Pop. (1841) 115,491; (1861) 71,694; (1881) 61,009; (1891) 52,647—91 per cent. Roman Catholics. The surface is for the most part flat, and the soil on the whole fertile, though extensive tracts of bog exist. Oats and potatoes are the principal crops; 51 per cent. of the area is permanent grass. The county is studded with numerous small lakes, and is crossed by the Royal Canal. Marble of good quality is found. Linen and coarse woollens are manufactured, and large quantities of butter are made. The county returns two members to parliament. Longford anciently formed part of the kingdom of Meath, and was included in Henry II.'s grant to Hugh de Lacy. It was erected into a county in 1564. The antiquities are of much interest, the islands of Lough Ree being especially rich in monastic remains.—LONGFORD, the county town, on the river Camlin and a branch of the Royal Canal, 76 miles NW. of Dublin by rail. Its best building is the new Roman Catholic cathedral (1840-93). Pop. 3827.