Gavin Smith settled in Longford, away from the hectic city, glad of the quietness and in no hurry back to his native Dublin. Originally Coolock, Longford Town affords him and his young family all they need at a nicer pace.

Michael Connellan standing proud with his Mini, a very high spec Mini he bought in 2006. He bought it off a gentleman who had previously worked in Rover, who in retirement took up the mini as a hobby to refurbish it to original spec, the colour is original Volcanic Orange. Michael is 15 years in the local Vintage Club dedicated to classic cars. Covid allowing, you would be able to see this and other cars in Vintage events and days, lets hope sooner the better.

Pat Lennon

Feast of Corpus Christi, also called Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ, festival of the Roman Catholic Church in honour of the real presence of the body (corpus) of Jesus Christ in the Eucharist. Unfortunately again this year due to Covid Restrictions, the usual chosen estate and procession was not allowed, hopefully next year.

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Beautiful weather and great excuse for a cycle, went off rambling to Clondra, County Longford. When I got there I went down by the water past the lock, had left the bike down, and went for a quick look around before I had a mind to cycle somewhere else in Clondra. Had the unfortunate accident of having five in the end thorns that had punctured my tire. I was stuck, thinking long walk back to Longford Town, when someone told me that there was a bike rental guy in the village. Midlands Cycle Hub, was just down by the bridge in the village, Robert Crilly Longford local, whom just in the last week set up the cycle rental business in the heart of Clondra. A perfect spot for cycling and sightseeing in County Longford, with access to all the Royal Canal ways. He also does historical tours and lakeside tours. An absolute gentleman that helped me with bike and to get back to Longford Town. He did not have to, in between customers coming and going, he was more than just helpful, he went beyond the call of duty, the thousand Irish welcomes is not just a saying. A great idea that I hope takes off for him, the more know about it the better, groups couples, families, he has enough to cover all, with a fantastic bike selection. Just up and going a week, already had a selfie with none other than Nathan Carter. Robert was very thoughtful with customers that I had seen, has a great knowledge of the locality, depending on what you wish from family day out to adventures seekers. click on images below to original website and Facebook to find out more.

Been awhile since local bar owners had the call for a pulled pint, or a cafe to serve seated customers. Two Longford Town premises, owned by local families, one bar and a cafe, lacking a garden or back space, have been giving right to extend a space on literally street level. The parking spaces in front of their own spaces, have put out decking to allow to circumvent Covid restrictions. I a non-drinker, and I am not bothered by local family businesses making the best of a bad situation, people have suffered enough. Below are the official rules that have been adhered to by Torc Cafe and Tally-Ho Bar, hope all have a great time. The 7th of June, people can enjoy these new freedoms, July 5th the full reopening can happen.

1) What defines the outdoor premise where you can consume alcohol?

Usual pub licences allow publicans to serve alcohol and for it to be consumed on the premises, which can include areas outside the confines of the building such as gardens, yards, carparks, etc.

2) Extending the area of what can be used to dine and consume alcohol on

Local Authorities under Section 254 of the Planning Acts can licence the placing of furniture, such as tables and chairs, in public areas such as footpaths, pedestrianised streets, etc.

3) Putting the previous two points together

Local Authorities may also make bye-laws under Section 199 of the Local Government Act that permits the consumption of food and alcohol while using this street furniture.

4) Using specific sections that are already there

There are already many examples in cities of tables placed outside pubs/restaurants where alcohol is consumed in a roped-off area. This is done in accordance with the bye-laws in that town or city.

5) Gardai will still be vigilant

An Garda Síochána have responsibility for policing the liquor licensing laws and public order generally.

6) What defines the ‘authorities’ in terms of outdoor drinking?

It is generally the case that there is close cooperation between An Garda Síochána and Local Authorities and most licensed premises

7) Cooperation between the authorities

It is expected that the expanded provisions for outdoor dining/drinking will be operated in accordance with these existing arrangements.

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McElliott getting done in a day that would have took a lot longer back in the day. He was walking to a patch a land where he is growing flowers going to water them. We were talking about how harvesting is done in a day that obviously took longer, long time ago, when even myself did a small bit for farming cutting hay with scythe, turning it and bailing it, you hire out teams today. It is a done thing to hire out these guys to do it, and talking about farming in general, how it is getting tougher and costlier every year. Supermarket’s originally made it tough and still do with prices, and now the European union with deals in South America does not help. Do you know who helped the country during the last financial crisis, it was the Irish Dairy famer that kept things going in the market, that will be probably the only thing to hold out against foreign meats, the internal dairy markets in future.

Weather sunny, random roads never travelled before, places/people and things, bumped into the Davies couple enjoying the sun and Seamus Sorohan, a neighbor of theirs, a nice gentleman, from Leitrim originally Gortnasillagh, settled in Longford 30years. His brother Henry runs Henry’s Haven in Drumshanbo, great pub/restaurant and great food and good crack, before covid great music sessions, hopefully will come back soon, and said it totally without any prejudice, but I can back him up by eating there a few times. check out link below for Henry 

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MacEoin Park, Longford Town, County Longford, a large estate of 129 houses, built in the 70’s, there is a manicuring job happening now with many trees that were place around the estate. This tree the latest, talking to a local resident, he explained not before time, some of the trees block out a lot of light in full foliage. but he told me of the time they were not long planted and that one tree that would have been not far from this tree in image below. Two former army men were chatting, one had had a tipple, leaning on a newly planted tree, slowly but surely to the point where both were on the ground parallel, that tree died.