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One of Ireland's smallest counties, Longford is situated in the midlands of Ireland. This low-lying county is known for its agriculture and its criss-crossing network of waterways and lakes.
Longford, or Longphort in Irish meaning fortress, was for centuries the stronghold of the O'Farrell Clan, the Gaelic rulers of Annaly, taking in much of the midlands of Ireland. Today the name O Farrell is the most common name throughout the county and the county town of Longford.
Longford is mainly a flat county of fertile agricultural land and peat bogs. The Irish peat industry, Bord na Mona takes most of its peat from here to supply its electricity generating power stations.
The main reason people simply don't pass through Longford is the renowned fishing on Lough Ree. The counties extensive waterways of the Shannon basin and the upper river Erne and of the 150km Royal Canal linking Dublin to the River Shannon, make Longford a popular stopover for boat cruises.
Longford's main attraction is the Corlea Trackway, a unique wooden road through the boglands dating from 148 B.C.
Famous people with connections to Longford include the former Argentinean President Edel Miro O Farrell and Kitty Kiernan from Granard, fiancee of Irish Leader Michael Collins.
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