Humphreys visits Co Longford's Edgeworthstown and Granard on Áras canvas trail

Presidential election candidate, Heather Humphreys received a 'warm welcome ' when she visited Longford on Friday as part of her campaign and a local TD insisted she has been very supportive of this county.

The Monaghan native spent a number of hours in Granard and Edgeworthstown during her busy canvas and Fine Gael TD Micheál Carrigy said Ms Humphreys met as many people as she could despite the unsettled weather as Storm Amy swept over the country.

The former rural affairs minister began her visit at Rath Mhuire and Dolmen Fáilte Community Resource Service in Granard, where she met members of the local community alongside Deputy Carrigy, Senator Paraic Brady and local councillors and she viewed a display of the work of the Men's Shed.

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"She got a very warm reception, I think everyone knows Heather," Deputy Carrigy said.

"She has been a very, good strong supporter of projects here in Longford in her roles in the various ministries and she has visited on numerous occasions to the county calling to various organisations and particularly to community projects that have been developed and funded through her department over the last five years.

"She was particularly supportive of us here in Longford and during her tenure in that department over €40 million in funding came into projects that are in every single community in the county."

Ms Humphreys described the Men's Shed as a 'fantastic organisation' as she praised their work.

"They offer a huge variety of activities to men in our communities, and crucially, the opportunity for a cup of tea and a chat.

"As Minister, I always supported the Men's Sheds and, and if elected President I will work to highlight and promote the importance of our Men’s Sheds in communities all across Ireland in terms of supporting positive mental health and well-being."

Ms Humphreys' next stop was Lus na Gréine Family Resource Centre where she met locals including members of Granard Area Action Group where she delivered a glowing appraisal of them.

"Lus na Gréine and the Granard Area Action Group are making a real impact on people in the local community providing them with invaluable services and work opportunities – I was delighted to support this wonderful centre during my time as Minister and it was great to visit today.”

Ms Humphrey's also met members of Lakeland Dairies who were working in Granard when she visited and she then visited Edgeworthstown where she stated she was delighted to meet people in co:worx, a co-working space in the town and the Granard Agricultural Show committee.

"I’ve always been a strong advocate for remote working – it’s good for work life balance and good for our local communities by enabling people to live and work in their own locality.”

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Ms Humphreys said as rural affairs minister she established Connected Hubs –a nationwide network of remote working and local enterprise hubs that provide spaces for local entrepreneurs and starts-ups as well as hot desking facilities for remote workers.

“It was great to visit Co:worx and see such a wonderful example here in Longford,” Ms Humphreys concluded.