County Longford

County Longford (: Contae an Longfoirt) is a county situated in the, in northwest. With an area of 1,091 km² (421 square miles) and a of 34,361, it is one of 's smallest counties. Agricultural activities include cattle and sheep rearing, and the production of s and.

Most of Longford lies in the basin of the, which forms its western boundary, much of it in the form of a large lake,. The northeastern part of the county, however, drains towards the, and much of is within the county boundary. Lakeland, bogland, pastureland, and wetland typify Longford's generally low-lying landscapes: the highest point is (also known as Cairn Hill) in the northwest of the county at 279 m (916 feet). Cairn Hill is the site of a broadcasting to much of the Irish midlands. In general, the northern third of the county is hilly, forming part of the belt stretching across the northern midlands of Ireland. The southern parts of the county are low-lying, with extensive areas of raised bogland, and the land being of better quality for grazing and tillage.

Monastic remains at, , , , in Lough Ree and Inchmore Island in Lough Gowna are reminders of the county's long Christian history.

The territory now comprising County Longford was traditionally known as (Anghaile in ) or Teffia (Teabhtha in Irish) and formed the territory of the. After the Norman invasion of the 12th century, Annaly was granted to as part of the. An English settlement was established at, with English monasteries being established at Abbeylara and Abbeyshrule, and  monasteries being established at Abbeyderg and at Saints' Island on the shore of Lough Ree.

However, by the 14th century, English influence in Ireland was on the wane. The town of Granard was sacked by 's army in 1315, and the O'Farrells soon recovered complete control over their former territory.

The county was officially shired in 1586 in the reign of, but English control was not fully established until the aftermath of the. County Longford was added to Leinster by in 1608 (it had previously been considered part of ), with the county being divided into six  and its boundaries being officially defined. The county was planted by English and Scottish landowners in 1620, with much of the O'Farrell lands being confiscated and granted to new owners. The change in control was completed during the of the 1650s.

The county was a centre of the, when the French expeditionary force led by which had landed at  were defeated outside the village of  on 8 September by an English army led by. Considerable reprisals were inflicted by the British on the civilian inhabitants of the county in the aftermath of the battle.

A revolutionary spirit was again awoken in the county during the when the North Longford flying column, led by, became one of the most active units on the Irish side during that war.

The county is named after its administrative centre,.

Other sizeable towns and villages in County Longford include:
 * (or Mostrim)
 * (or Mostrim)
 * (or Mostrim)