Longford Lights Festive up for national award

Longford County Council's collaboration with artist Tom Meskell for the Longford Lights Festival is shortlisted in the Best Creativity in the Community section of the Business to Arts Awards.

Over 11,000 people attended the Longford Lights Festival which took place on 24-26 February 2023 at Connolly Barracks in Longford town.

Taking place on Tuesday, 12 September at the National Concert Hall, the annual Business to Arts Awards is Ireland’s only event that recognises excellence in creative and cultural partnerships, where a business, philanthropic organisation or individual has supported the arts in a compelling way.

“There are three other fantastic projects in our categories, but we are hopeful,” Tom told the Leader.
“A win would bring great publicity for local artists and the County Council.
“We are over the moon to be nominated. Being nominated is a huge achievement in its own right. We want to thank the Business to Arts for including us in this illustrious group. We are very honoured by this. A win would validate a fabulous Longford project.”

Tom said plans are in place for next year's event: “It will be continuing in 2024 under the artistic director Caroline Conway.”
Running for over 30 years, the Business to Arts Awards feature a range of categories celebrating arts sponsorship, commissioning, philanthropy, staff engagement programmes, corporate social responsibility, access programme and creative community initiatives.

Welcoming the shortlisting of the partnership that brought about Longford Lights, Cathaoirleach of Longford County Council Colm Murray congratulated all involved. “This is wonderful recognition of the talent that makes our communities so vibrant, congratulations to all.”