Longford Summer Festival set for stunning July return

Longford Summer festival is set for a sensational return after a three year Covid induced absence.

The festival returned to the streets of Longford town in 2017 and scaled rapidly to a mammoth nine day festival in 2019.

Highlights from 2019 included the recently deceased Christy Dignam and the late Liam Reilly of the famed Bagatelle.

Aided by grant aid from the LEADER fund, it was one of the biggest events in the Midlands that summer with a 30,000 plus attendance over the nine nights.

Now the local committee have confirmed that the festival is set to return in July 13-16 for four nights.

Confirming the return, Festival chairperson, Deputy Joe Flaherty, said: “Unfortunately the LEADER funding isn’t an option until 2024 but we didn’t want to miss another year and now thanks to the support of our main sponsor Longford Municipal Council, we are able to return for four nights.”

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Plans are already underway for 2024 and committee member, Eddie Valentine, added: “There is a huge public demand to get the festival back and rather that wait on LEADER funding for 2024, we felt we should go with four nights for 2023. I want to thank the Municipal Council and also local publicans who are supporting the festival’s return.”

The event will open on Thursday, July 13 with Johnny Brady, whilst it’s the turn of country sensation, Nathan Carter on the Friday night.

It will be an emotional return for Bagatelle & friends on the Saturday night as they return to remember Liam Reilly, who sadly passed away in January 2021.

Explained committee member, Andy Byrne Jnr: “Bagatelle & friends are doing a limited number of Irish gigs to remember Liam with invited guests and specifically asked for a slot in Longford.”

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Pride of place on a packed Sunday programme will be local band Audio Pilot, who are performing to acclaim across the country.

Added Andy Byrne Jnr: “The lads are selling out shows across the country and its great to be able to showcase them in their home town and its fantastic to have a local band bring the curtains down on what hopefully will be four great nights.”