Sadness at death of popular Longford TidyTowns volunteer Eamon Ledwith

There was sadness in Longford town last week following the passing of popular local man Eamon Ledwith.

He was well known through his involvement with Longford Tidy Towns.

He was also a familiar sight in the town and surrounding roads while out on his daily walk.

“It is with deep sorrow and very sad hearts that we share the news of the passing of our dear friend and long-serving volunteer, Eamon Ledwith. Eamon left us unexpectedly last Saturday, leaving a void that will be deeply felt by all who knew him,” Longford Tidy Towns posted on their facebook page.

“Just a week prior, he was his usual vibrant self at our weekly volunteers’ tidy-up,” the post added.

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The post went on to describe Eamon as a “true local champion.”

“Eamon was a great friend to us all and was always a joy to meet. We loved his cheerful personality, his infectious good humour and his witty attitude. We really admired his selfless contribution to our town over so many years - a true local champion.

“Longford will be a poorer place without Eamon, and his memory will live on in the hearts of everyone who had the privilege of knowing him,” the post stated.

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Our deepest condolences to his wife Kathleen, sons Kieran and Ian, and the wider Ledwith family during this incredibly difficult time.

We will really miss you, Eamon. Rest in peace, dear friend.

In 2020, Eamon gave an interview to Humans of Longford. Talking about his work with Tidy Towns, he said, “...we usually do this work for 2 hours, twice a week, Tuesdays and Thursdays and some Saturdays....we clear the weeds and generally tidy up the place.....car parks, roundabouts...the full town, up and down and the approach roads....”

“...Longford town has a population in excess of 10,000 but it's difficult to get 10 people to help tidy up what's usually their own area....I have to say that's disheartening....,” he added.

Eamon went on to say that he was motivated to volunteer in order to keep Longford litter free.

“...the council sweep the town every morning but by midday it can be a mess....I hate to see rubbish thrown around the town....it's an absolute disgrace.....

....why do it ?....because I like Longford...I hate to see it rubbished....,” he explained.

Eamon went on to tell Humans of Longford that he was born in 1950 in Nurse Maguire’s on the Convent Road.

In 1971, he met his future wife Kathleen while working at Carrick-on-Shannon Hospital.

In 1976, he got a job as a carpenter with the Board of Works at Connolly Barracks.

“...it was during the height of the Troubles and the Barracks was an extremely busy and important army base ...armoured cars, jeeps and lorries were an everyday sight & sound on the streets in those days and the Alouette helicopters landed regularly.....there was a real buzz about the place....people forget that 300 men were employed there and sometimes that number increased with the FCA ( Reserves ) .....,” Eamon explained.

“.....when the Longford soldiers were sent to Athlone when the government closed Connolly Bks., I went there too....I worked with the Board of Works for the army from July 12th 1976 to 4th March 2016.....I've always enjoyed the work...loved carpentry and joinery...working with my hands....,” he added.

Eamon was predeceased by his parents Harry and Tess, by his brother Ciaran and by his sister Marie.

Eamon will be sadly missed and remembered with love by his family, wife Kathleen, sons Kieran and Ian, daughters-in-law Julie and Laura, grandchildren Shelby, Keighlum, Griffin and Harry, sisters Siobhan, Therese and Lorraine, brothers Fr. Harry, Colm, Sean, Kevin, Mel and Cathal, sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.

Eamon lay in repose at Glennon’s Funeral Home, Ballinalee Road on Tuesday, June 4. Mass of the Resurrection for Eamon took place on Wednesday, June 5 at 11am in St Mel’s Cathedral, followed by cremation at Lakelands Crematorium, Cavan, at 2pm.

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