Historic Longford Monument now under the control of voluntary group

It's the centrepiece of one of Longford's most picturesque villages and now the lease of Ardagh clock tower is under the control of a local voluntary group.

At the December meeting of Longford County Council members adopted a motion allowing the lease to The Trustees of the Ardagh Clock Tower Committee, of Ardagh, Longford, of the property at the Clock Tower, Ardagh, Longford which was acquired from the representatives of the Fetherstone Estate, Ardagh, Longford.

It is one of Ardagh’s most distinctive features, standing on the village green. Bearing the date 1863, it commemorates Sir George Ralph Fetherston, the landlord whose idea it was to develop a new village.

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The clock tower is typical of the Ardagh's Neo-Gothic style and the work of architect James Rawson Carroll, who is mentioned in the tower inscription.

“This is something that has been worked on for quite a while,” John McKeon, the DoS with responsibility for Finance and Information Technology told members.

Backing the motion, Cllr Paul Ross (FG) said: “This is fantastic news. Myself, Cllr (Michael) Cahill, and all the Ballymahon MD members have worked on this for a couple of years. They are a very active committee, this will allow them to work on the restoration of the tower. Work will be undertaken on the railings.”

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Cllr Ross continued: “This was not a simple project. There was a huge amount of work, I have to acknowledge the council on this, particularly John McKeon. I want to wish the committee the best of luck with the project.”

Across the chamber Cllr Cahill (FF) added: “There is an excellent committee in place who have pushed this forward. They have a huge interest in the history and heritage of their village. We will continue to support them in whatever way we can.

Cllr Seamus Butler could not waste the opportunity for a pun: “It is not in my municipal area, but I do know how much work has gone into this. It's a very timely proposal.”

Cathaoirleach Mark Casey commended the Trustees of the Ardagh Clock Tower Committee on getting the matter “over the line”.

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