Things To Do in Longford Archives - Cathedral View Apartments

Christmas in County Longford

9th December 2016 By Cathedral View

How to spend your Christmas in County Longford

Christmas in County Longford is a special one. There’s loads to see and do, with events happening across the county to celebrate. From markets, to charity races, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.

Longford town turned on the Christmas lights on Black Friday, November 25th, kick starting a fantastic shopping season. Shop local and support local craftspeople this Saturday, December 10th, in Ardagh Heritage and Creativity Centre during “An Enchanted Woodland Christmas“. Visit Santa while getting creative with the arts and crafts and plenty of time to browse the gift shop for some handmade goods.

The festivities will continue in Granard this Sunday, December 11th, as the town will host a Christmas market to coincide with the switching on of the lights. Back to Ardagh Heritage Centre on December 16th for the “Christmas Around the World” feast; a very special dinner with a few treats thrown in hosted by Chef Martin from “Cook ‘n’ Dine“.

Something uniquely different then on December 18th, Longford’s very own “ice hockey” tournament. Longford Hawks are hosting a Christmas inline hockey tournament at their rink in Mastertech business park on the outskirts of Longford town.

If hunting is your sport, take off with Longford Harriers at 12 noon on St Stephen’s Day from Carrickboy. No animals are used, it is just the scent! For extra sport, join the Longford parkrun on Christmas Eve in “The Mall” park, Longford town followed by tea and coffee afterwards. This is a free event but you must register on parkrun.ie and don’t forget to bring your barcode.

There’s lots of opportunity to shake off the turkey (and an excuse to sneak a few extra mince pies) during three charity races over Christmas. The annual Goal Mile run takes place Christmas morning at 12 noon from Connolly Barracks, perfect way to make room for the feed ahead. This year is the 10th year of The Shane Brennan 5km in Newtownforbes, kick starting at 1pm with proceeds going to Longford Women’s Link. If that wasn’t enough for you, Ardagh Moydow Glen Community games set a real challenge on December 27th. The 10 mile run goes over “Ardagh Mountain”, and is well attended every year. There’s also a 5km fun run through the village.

No Christmas in County Longford would be complete without a visit to St Mel’s Cathedral which burned down on Christmas Day 2009, only to be rebuilt and now stand in all its glory. Of course, if you need somewhere to stay during your visit, our apartments are facing it! Enjoy the festive season.

A Weekend in Longford (Part Two)

23rd November 2016 By Cathedral View

Things to do on a weekend in Longford

weekend in longford

In our second edition of “what to do in Longford for Black Friday weekend”, we give you a full itinerary of things to do in Longford. While you can enjoy a full day shopping and pampering on Friday, there’s many reasons to stay in Longford for the full weekend. Did we mention our special offer – if you book in to spend Black Friday weekend, November 25th, 26th and 27th in our apartments in Longford, receive a bottle of Prosecco, locally handmade chocolates, a €40 dining voucher and late checkout.

Spend your Friday enjoying all the great offers from businesses around Longford, from getting a full outfit in Áine’s, to a relaxing treatment in Chic and of course enjoying a special offer lunch in the Black Olive; no day could be more perfect. What’s more, you don’t even have to miss a day’s work as we are offering free use of our co-working space in The Business Clinic, adjoining the Cathedral View Apartments.

Make sure to be on the Market Square for 6:30pm for the main man Santa who will be there to meet all the girls and boys and take photos. There will be market stalls for shopping and the turning on of the lights will add to the atmosphere. Some of the local watering holes are also joining in the merriment, so you can enjoy the celebrations and you’re only a short stroll home to the cosy apartments.

Shake the cobwebs off in Saturday morning with a scenic walk through some of County Longford’s best kept secrets. Head out to the historic village of Ballinamuck, where an epic battle was fought in 1798, and take the 5km Edenmore Bog Walk trail for some real serenity.

Why not head over the beautiful village of Ardagh, also steeped in history with the original St Mel’s Cathedral; a village acclaimed for it’s Tidy Towns status. While you’re there, take the Glen Lake walk to Ardagh mountains across to Kenagh to the bog end up in Cashel St Kevin Island; also perfect for a long bike ride.

There’s further opportunity for exploration on a Sunday in Longford. Make the most of the late check out included in our offer, before driving to the village of Abbeyshrule. Another Tidy Towns winner, it’s located on the banks of the Royal Canal and has extensive history, home to a Cistercian Abbey, founded from Mellifont in 1150 AD. It’s also the location of the only airfield in the Midlands, which provides opportunities for both pleasure flights and flying lessons as well as hosting the annual Air Show. For literature lovers, its most famous son is the poet and playwright Oliver Goldsmith who was born at Pallas, Abbeyshrule on November 10th 1728. While you’re there, enjoy a delicious Sunday lunch in the Rustic Inn before making your way home.

This just touches on places to visit in Longford, in our next post, we’ll give even more options for any weekend in Longford. Follow The Cathedral View Apartments on Facebook for more!

Black Friday in Longford

15th November 2016 By Cathedral View

Enjoy your Black Friday in Longford with a weekend full of events

Black Friday in Longford

In 2015, Longford became the first town in Ireland to fully embrace Black Friday. Every store had its own special offer, as shoppers enjoyed some Christmas shopping bargains. This year will see it return, with even more fantastic opportunities to buy yourself or that special someone that perfect gift and enjoy a brilliant Black Friday in Longford.

To encourage people to visit and shop in Longford, The Cathedral View Apartments is doing an offer – if you book in to spend Black Friday weekend, November 25th, 26th and 27th in our apartments in Longford, receive a bottle of Prosecco, locally handmade chocolates, a €40 dining voucher and late checkout.

The weekend kicks off with the amazing sales all day Friday, with over 100 businesses in the town taking part. With jewellers to clothes retailers, beauty, cafes and restaurants and local filling stations all getting into the spirit of things, you can shop until you drop. To really brighten up the evening, the Longford Christmas lights will be switched on at 6:30pm, and Santa will visit the Market Square to heighten the celebrations.

If you arrive late to Longford, not to worry as all stores are open for late night shopping. This is also the opportune time to use your €40 dining voucher which you receive as part of your stay with us. If music is your thing, begin the weekend in the Backstage Theatre as they have an evening “Celebrating Christie Hennessy” starting at 8pm.

Saturday morning in Longford is a hive of activity at the Longford parkrun which happens in the local “Mall” park at 9:30am sharp. Every week, you can join a throng of enthusiastic walkers and runners of all abilities by getting in some exercise while enjoying the fabulous facility on offer. The parkrunners often join together afterwards in a local cafe for breakfast which is an ideal way to get to know some new people. Event coordinator Kevin Kane would be more than happy to give you more information on this. It’s a free run but you must register on parkrun.ie, don’t forget your barcode!

After a hearty breakfast, and if you still have energy in your legs, the sights around Longford are really worth exploring. The Royal Canal walkway and cycleway brings you all the way to Dublin! However, there’s no need to go that far. You can join the canal at any stage from Longford Town to Clondra; checking in at Killashee, Kenagh or Ballymahon to name a few. It offers 13km of breathtaking scenery, which is so serene whether you choose to walk or cycle.

Why not take a drive out to Ballymahon and explore the Royal Canal at Brannigan Harbour before visiting Newcastle Wood; the perfect time to see it before Center Parcs begin their development. You can hire bikes from “Nally’s” in Ballymahon and cycle the canal and the woods; the ideal way to sightsee in an unspoilt part of Ireland.

As you have the whole weekend, you can also drive out to North Longford to our other fabulous woods in Derrycassin, passing the stunning Lough Gowna en-route; perfect for walking, fishing and a picnic when the weather allows! Although in November you might opt for a nice flask of hot chocolate while enjoying the scenery.

In our next post, we’ll give even more options for your Black Friday weekend, and of course any weekend here in Longford. Follow The Cathedral View Apartments on Facebook for more!