Longford's Literary heritage: A festival of Golden Moments

Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall. In the four decades since the first Oliver Goldsmith Literary Festival came into being the organisers have rarely had to pick themselves up after a fall.
The annual celebration of Longford's most significant literary figure is a catalogue of astonishing contributions by internationally renowned individuals, in the many forms the gathering has taken over the years.

The 2024 event was officially opened by Tánaiste and Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin at The Rustic Inn, Abbeyshrule, last Friday (May 31).
On an evening of glorious sunshine Abbeyshrule was a hive of activity in anticipation of the official opening ceremony.
This year’s festival theme was ‘Nothing he did not adorn’ a reference to the writer's ability to transform the everyday into the transcendent.

The 2024 iteration saw the Oliver Goldsmith Festival turn 40. To mark the auspicious milestone the committee lined up a programme that included a range of discussions, a bus tour of ‘Goldsmith Country’ and a live theatrical performance.
“Discovery and reflection,” The Oliver Goldsmith Festival chairman Arthur Conlon said was the focus of the event, “Discovery of what Goldsmith was writing about, and through that, discovering about ourselves, as a people, and as a country.”
Mr Conlon said the writer's words offer a key to unlocking who we are as Irish people.
In his opening address Tánaiste Micheál Martin acknowledged the voluntary work of the organisers to maintain one of Ireland's most enduring artistic gatherings: “This is one of Ireland's longest running literary festivals and it is a tribute to a vibrant community spirit.

“Congratulations and thanks are due to Seamus McCormack, Brian Conlon, Arthur Conlon, Tony Tiernan, Tom Seary, Joe Farrell, Woody Flanagan and the many, many other volunteers who keep this festival alive and thriving.”
The Tánaiste said the festival is a reminder of the diverse history and culture of the area and the country as a whole: “When Oliver Goldsmith died 250 years ago, he was one of the most famous men of letters of his time. His poems, essays and plays were known throughout these islands as well as much further afield.”

Deputy Martin noted the legacy of Goldsmith: “While he maintained his advanced ability to get into financial trouble and to behave in a highly strung manner, he was undoubtedly one of the great literary figures, not just during his life, but in the two and a half centuries since his death.”
He said the lessons the writer offers span centuries: “The Protestant community, which Goldsmith came from, has consistently made unique and positive contributions, both at home and in introducing Ireland to a wider world.
“The building of a shared future for all on our island is a defining challenge of our time. And absolutely central to this is for us to include different traditions and histories within how we define Irishness.”

In concluding his address the Tánaiste said: “Oliver Goldsmith is also a reminder that change and evolution has always been part of our society.
“He wrote at a time of accelerating change in society, in education, in economics and in politics. He could see this change taking place before him and anticipated much more to come.”

In his address Goldsmith scholar and Committee Member, Prof Michael Griffin from the University of Limerick, noted this year marks two Goldsmith anniversaries: the 250 anniversary of his death at aged 45 and the 40th anniversary of the Festival.
Prof Griffin spoke of the significance of the occasion: “It is fitting that the two dates align. These are two very auspicious anniversaries for Goldsmith aficionados. One of the nation's most illustrious writers, a writer who managed to write one piece of genius in each of the genres he wrote in,” he said.

The academic recalled the writer's final days: “When asked if his mind was at ease, he replied “No, it is not”. He died around 4am on the morning of Monday April 4. There was not enough money for a proper funeral and Goldsmith's friends funded a monument to be placed in Westminster Abbey.”
The writer's final resting place progressively became more anonymous until 2004 when the Goldsmith Festival Committee commissioned a plaque to honour the literary giant's final resting place.
The keynote speaker at the opening ceremony was Irish Times journalist and author Justine McCarthy, who presented an address entitled: “Ireland, I hardly knew you”.

In the course of the weekend leading literary academics Prof Aileen Douglas and Prof Ian Campbell from Trinity College Dublin and Dr James Ward of Ulster University explored Goldsmith’s scholarship and impact at a session in the Goldsmith Room at Ballymahon Library on Saturday.
Another highlight was the popular ‘Goldsmith Live’ session in Skelly’s Courtyard, Ballymahon, on Saturday, which included a performance of ‘The Misadventures of Oliver Goldsmith’, written and performed by Michael J Ford, and colleagues.
The festival wound up on Sunday at Goldsmith’s birthplace in Pallas with poetry readings from the winning entrants of the Goldsmith Poetry competitions adjudicated by Eugene O’Connell and Mary Melvin Geoghegan.

Chairman Arthur Conlon thanked all who assisted in ensuring the longevity of the festival: “Our festival has stood the test of time, expanding from under an academic cloak to make Goldsmith’s writings accessible and relevant to today’s diverse and modern audiences.

“Maintaining an event of this type for 40 years is not easy and takes a dedicated committee and the support of local agencies and sponsors. We are grateful to Longford and Westmeath County Councils, Longford Arts Office, and our poetry sponsors, Nally Bros, Ballymahon.”