The building that houses Longford town’s busy McDonald’s fast food outlet has been put up for sale.

Alan McMonagle from Longford has been receiving great acclaim for his writing, both at home and internationally. The poet, playwright and short fiction writer from College Park has received awards from the Professional Artists Retreat, the Fundacion Valparaiso, the Banff Centre for Creativity and the Arts Council of Ireland. The writer, who is a son of Seamus and Jean, also received his MA in Writing from NUI Galway in 2007.

Muscular Dystrophy Ireland (MDI) will stage its 2nd Annual 10K Road Race in Carrigallen, Co Leitrim on Saturday, July 6 next. The route will take runners and walkers around the beautiful and picturesque landscape of Leitrim. Food and refreshment will be supplied throughout the day. All levels of fitness will be catered for and everyone is welcome to take part.

Ballymahon’s state of the art library will provide the setting for the launch of a newly compiled poetry book this coming Saturday evening.

Longford actor Jamie McClean is set to play one of the lead roles in the Backstage Theatre’s Canal Studio production of ‘Stalemate’ – a new play written and directed by the theatre’s artist-in-residence, Seamus O’Rourke. The production, is currently being rehearsed ahead of its debut at Backstage this Thursday, May 16, after which the crew will embark on a nationwide tour.

It is 27 years since the Class of ‘86 sat their Leaving Cert at Cnoc Mhuire in Granard, and on May 4 last a very special occasion was held for students from that year, when a reunion was held in the north Longford town.

One cannot help being in a joyous, somewhat uplifted state after seeing St. Mel’s Musical Society’s recent production of the Rodgers and Hammerstein classic Oklahoma! directed by Leonard Anderson.

Longford comedian Conor Neville has reached the final of the Chortle Student Comedy Awards at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, after making it through the Dublin heat and the semi-final, which was held in Manchester last weekend.

The Bog Lane Theatre in Ballymahon will host renowned Italian flat-picking guitarist and singer/songwriter Beppe Gambetta on Thursday, May 23 for a special intimate performance.

Canal Studio Productions at the Backstage Theatre are looking for actors from across the Midlands region to audition for roles in their upcoming production of ‘Arragh na Pogue’. The play, which will feature a cast of 15, will be directed by Backstage’s artist-in-residence, Seamus O’Rourke.

A number of properties in Cartrun Breac, Lisbrack Road, Longford are now on the market averaging at less than €40,000 apiece plus VAT.

It has been revealed that the number of goods vehicles licensed for the first time in Ireland has increased by 7.8%, going up from 1,047 in April 2012 to 1,129 in April 2013.

On May 8 the National Consumer Agency (NCA) published its latest motor insurance comparison survey on www.nca.ie. The survey compared quotes - for eight different driver profiles - provided to the NCA by eight insurers in Ireland.

Peugeot has released the first images of its new 308.

The May Bank Holiday weekend saw the people of Drumlish and the surrounding areas flock to Drumlish Community Centre to watch or participate in the gala weekend organised to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the centre.

A number of restaurants in the region have been recognised for their outstanding service in the 2013 Irish Restaurant Awards. Restaurants awarded in Leinster include: Viewmount House, Eddie Valentine’s, Aubergine Gallery Cafe and the Black Olive in Longford, and An Tintain in Westmeath. In Connaught, winners included: Douglas Hyde @ Kilronan Castle, The Purple Onion and The Abbey Hotel in Roscommon, and Sandstone Restaurant @ Lough Rynn Castle Co. Leitrim. Restaurants were judged in a number of categories including Best Restaurant, Best Chef and Best Gastropub.

Peter Regan from Lanesboro will be at the centre of a special evening of classical piano music at St John’s Church in Longford Town on Friday next, May 24. The special event will also feature a performance from the internationally-acclaimed pianist John O’Conor, while violinist Phoebe White will also provide accompaniment on the night.

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A north Longford woman received praise from An Taoiseach Enda Kenny for her work with people who have disabilities in the county.
Aughnacliffe’s Teresa Mallon who is chairperson of the Irish Association of Supported Employment (IASE) was in Dáil Eireann to meet with Mr Kenny recently when the organisation to which she is affiliated to, helped to organise a national day of awareness – Job Shadow Day - aimed at promoting employment opportunities for people with disabilities.

The much anticipated An Post Rás will pass through Longford on Sunday, May 19 next. With some of the biggest names in the cycling world signed up to participate, there is much to look forward to.