It's been a while since we blogged our last "A Day Out in County Longford" as we have been busy little bees with our many events and tours. In the meantime, all of County Longford has also been busy creating more for people to do and see here. There is a greater availability of places to stay too.

We have always felt a day is never long enough to fall in love with County Longford so let's check in and see how the Smith family from Manchester will spend some of their week next July :

When Jessica Smith was booking her family break in CenterParcs Ireland at Longford Forest she felt it might be nice to stay a few days extra in the vicinity with her family and explore the area. She knew she had some links to Longford as she had found some through many long nights exploring her family tree on Ancestry and she wanted to find out more.

Jessica booked her four day stay at CenterParcs and then searched Airbnb for a few more nights. Top of the list on the Longford listing was a town house in Longford Town hosted by the lovely Lorraine. It was ideal, reviews were great, location central and it was newly renovated. The house is located right next to the historic St. Mels' Cathedral with easy access to the main road routes. Booking made, she planned her itinerary for the days before they were to check in at the Longford Forest.

Jessica and Tim have two children, Samantha is fourteen and Paul is eleven, both like to spend most of their time on their phones but when new activities are presented to them they always enjoy them even if they are reluctant at first.

Jessica had found links in her family tree to the village of Ardagh, County Longford so when googling it she found just the spot to visit with her family while finding out a little more of where she came from at the same time. Creative Ardagh, based in Ardagh Heritage and Creativity Centre, an old schoolhouse at the edge of the pretty little village looked like an interesting hub to spend a few hours.

Jessica rang Creative Ardagh and booked a family workshop slot to explore the iron age history of Ardagh through the story of The King at the Back of the Hill and try some weaving while they were there. For a little extra, Annette, of Creative Ardagh, suggested they do a walking tour of the village with them. She also told Jessica about their Craft Shop that stocks creations by over 50 local crafters, artists and writers and about the new walk on Brí Leith that the family would surely enjoy. She talked of the state of the art Knights and Conquest centre in Granard where the highest Motte and Bailey of the country is located. Lots to awaken her children's imagination and to keep her history buff husband Tim interested too.

Exchanging emails, Annette sent Jessica on a few ideas of what else they could do in the area and Jessica was getting quite excited about the stay. Nice cafes, restaurants and boutiques within walking distance of the town house and lots to see and do within a half hour drive meant it would be an easy, relaxed holiday. Four days in CenterParcs doing all sorts of outdoor and indoor adventure activities with their children meant everyone was going to be happy. This was going to be a lovely holiday she would never forget. She was beginning to think she might need to add a few days to the end of the visit too.

We'll check in again soon with Jessica and see what else she has planned. We're off now to plan our many workshops and storytelling sessions for the tour groups that are visiting us shortly and for our slot in Roosky Heritage Festival. We also have our annual Bilberry Walk, part of Cruthú Arts Festival, to organise.

Remember we can scale up or down the packages we offer to suit your group size and ages! Email us at [email protected] to find out more.

Slán go fóill,

Ann