Ardagh Ardach |
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Location of Ardagh within the Republic of Ireland | |
Coordinates: 53°40′1″N 7°41′36″W / 53.66694°N 7.69333°WCoordinates: 53°40′1″N 7°41′36″W / 53.66694°N 7.69333°W | |
Country | Ireland |
Province | Leinster |
County | County Longford |
Population (2006) | |
• Total | 1,006 |
Irish grid reference | N199687 |
Ardagh (Irish: Ardach, older version Irish: Ardachadh, meaning "high field") is a village in County Longford, Ireland about 10 km (6.21 mi) from Longford Town. It is located off the N4 road.
There are several important Early Christian sites in and near Ardagh, including the Church of St. Mel. It is suggested that Saint Patrick built a church here in the fifth century and installed Saint Mel as bishop.
Ardagh's Heritage Centre tracks the history of the village, including its literary associations, which include featuring pseudonymously in Oliver Goldsmith's She Stoops to Conquer, and in a poem by Eavan Boland.
Much of the village was built as an 'Estate Village' in the 19th century, based on a Swiss design by the local landlords - the Fetherston baronets. The village was awarded the Prix d'Honneur of the Entente Florale and won the Irish Tidy Towns Competition on three occasions in 1989, 1996 and 1998.
Edgeworthstown railway station is around 9 kilometres from the village. Until the evening of 24 August 2013 Bus Éireann route "118" (Dublin-Mullingar-Longford) served Ardagh on Saturdays only allowing passengers to travel into Longford for a few hours.