Exclusive sneak peek revealed at Longford Lights launch

A launch event for Longford Lights 2025 took place in the Longford Arms Hotel on Saturday, 11 January. The launch offered audiences a sneak peek at some of what’s to come as the festival returns to Longford Town from Thursday to Sunday, February 20 - 23.

Plans for the upcoming festival were revealed to an audience of Longford artists, schools and community groups and festival funders, Longford County Council, the Arts Council, Creative Ireland, and Mide Arts Group.

Speakers at the event included the festival’s Artistic Director Caroline Conway, who looked forward to what’s in store. “This is an evolving event that strengthens the arts in Longford and continually surprises and enthrals audiences. The theme for 2025 is ‘Spectacular Lightness’, which refers to luminance, but also playfulness and a sense of the ethereal.

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“To achieve this, we have brought together a group of local, national and international artists to create an experience that will far exceed the sum of its parts. For 2025, we have two large projects built by local schools, as well as other targeted projects to build an inclusive festival.

“There are also more performance elements including ‘Metamorphosis’ which is going to be amazing. And for the first time we are partnering with Backstage Theatre that are putting on ‘Luminaria’ a fantastic piece of family theatre in St John’s Hall, on the doorstep of the festival.”

Now in its fourth year, Longford Lights is one of the largest arts festivals in the Midlands, with almost 12,000 people attending in 2024. This year the festival has expanded across four days and increased in size to involve 33 artists making 41 art installations, with the help of 36 schools and community organisations and thousands of lights.

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For the first time, the festival is moving into Longford town with art installations and video projections taking place on Bridge Street and Lower Main Street. This new development has been supported by local businesses, residents and the Longford Night Time Economy Programme.

Longford County Council Cathaoirleach Cllr Mark Casey looked forward to the festival. “It is easy to see why Longford Lights is going from strength to strength and attracting audiences to our county town. It is outward looking and ambitious, while also being local and authentic. I congratulate everyone on their work so far and I encourage everyone to get their tickets for Longford Lights 2025.”

Longford County Council Chief Executive Paddy Mahon said, “The Council is a proud supporter and funder of Longford Lights. It is a festival which brings many people into our county town, exploring what we have to offer and witnessing our exceptional artistic talent. It is great to see the organic expansion of the festival as it becomes larger and attracts more and more people.”

Guest speaker at the launch event, award-winning director of theatre, spectacle and film Noeline Kavanagh praised the efforts of local artists and the Council’s involvement, “Longford Lights is no longer a local affair, it has become an important festival on the national circuit and has become a catalyst for greater arts development in the county.”

Longford Lights 2025 takes place from 6pm to 10pm on Thursday, February 20 to Sunday, February 23. Large attendances are anticipated so to avoid disappointment book tickets now on Longfordlights.ie.

For updates, follow Longford County Council on social media and visit Longfordcoco.ie.