PICTURES | Longford welcomes visitors from USA, France, Guiana, Italy, England and Scotland for Maria Edgeworth Festival

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Edgeworthstown’s tourism industry was given a welcome shot in the arm last weekend as it provided the setting for a hugely successful literary festival.

The four day showcase, held in honour of prolific Anglo-Irish novelist Maria Edgeworth, saw visitors from as far as the USA, France, Guiana, Italy, England and Scotland descend on the mid Longford town what was an occasion that came in for universal approval. READ MORE BELOW PHOTO 

The weekend took in an eclectic mix of music, readings, workshops, talks, drama much more.

It all got underway last Thursday evening with a screening of Requiem for the Big House, drawing a packed and attentive audience for the screening of a documentary which was commissioned by Longford Library, Archive and Heritage Services department of Longford County Council.

One of the highlights of the weekend came via an International Conference on Education centred around Maria Edgeworth’s ‘Practical Education’ which was published in 1798 and was the catalyst for the establishment of our primary school system.

The organising committee expressed their own satisfaction at the interest shown in an event which attracted over 100 educationalists from Ireland and abroad who discussed various aspects of the book.

A panel of International experts highlighted to the audience the significant role played from Edgeworthstown in the field of education during what was an arduous period in Ireland’s history.

The six acclaimed educationalists were drawn from all across the globe with praise also coming from attendees who were amazed that a small town like Edgeworthstown could undertake such a major conference, having the facilities to facilitate it and to be able to attract such high-profile speakers.

The guests were welcomed by Cathaoirleach of Longford County Council Turlough Mc Govern with the conference itself being opened by Senator Micheal Carrigy.

One of the aims of the festival was to promote Ireland’s culture, give performers a platform for their work and to highlight the many facilities that are available in Edgeworthstown.

On Saturday morning the town held its first Artisan Market on the plaza in front of the town’s new, ultra modern library.

On a yearly basis, there are poetry and short story competitions held in conjunction with the festival with this year the festival attracting one of the highest entries as participants came from all parts of the world to take part.

That was borne out by the poetry competition’s overall winner of the Poetry Competition who hailed from the US.

At the announcement of the results at the Cultural evening on the Green, Granard poet Noel Monahan commented that the standard of entry was the highest he had seen in his long years of adjudicating.

The evening was a major success and had many highlights including an ‘in conversation’ piece with RTÉ correspondent Sinead Hussey interviewing the author Emilie Pine.

Another highlight of the evening was the superb performance from the Dundalk basted quartet Simply Strings who entertained the packed audience with a collection of classical music which was a first for the festival. The festival concluded on Sunday afternoon with an outdoor tea party with music, readings by the Longford Writers Group and a coral performance by the Innyside Singers.

There were so many stand out moments that it is impossible to document each one in an occasion that will invariably long be remembered.

In commenting on the festival, Matt Farrell said: “The committee had set itself a major task in hosting such a wide and varied programme over the four days and were delighted at the outcome”.

He also thanked, Creative Longford, Longford Arts Services, Longford County Council, Longford Tourism, Fáilte Ireland and local sponsors without whose support the festival could not have been possible.