'Fantastic' Maria Edgeworth Centre in Longford wins prestigious national award

There was delight as the Maria Edgeworth Centre was named as national runners up in the Heritage Council’s Heritage Week Awards announced recently.

Their award was received for their recreation of Richard Lovell Edgeworth’s Pioneering Telegraphic Message sent from the Royal Hospital Kilmainham to William Street in Galway in 1803.

There were over 2,500 entries for events held across the country during heritage week.

Angela Tuite from the Maria Edgeworth Centre stated that, “the award was a recognition of the effort that went into planning and executing this simulation and that members of the centre were delighted to receive the award”.

READ NEXT: Thought provoking Longford play 'Cardboard Coffin' returns for Bog Lane Theatre run

The presentation was made at a ceremony held in the Royal Hospital Kilmainham.

The Edgeworth family were respected educationalists, inventors, writers and supporters of social change who hosted famous visitors such as Sir Walter Scott and William Wordsworth amongst others.
Fine Gael Councillor Paul Ross said the Maria Edgeworth Centre is really Longford's only museum and a 'fantastic facility.

"It promotes Edgeworthstown and it promotes Longford, the link through the Edgeworth family who obviously have a great influence in the area.

READ NEXT: Longford County Council's new Corporate Plan sets out strategic objectives for next five years

Cllr Ross said the old schoolhouse museum is well worth visiting and it has been supported by Failte Ireland.

"It's a hidden gem in county Longford and well worth a visit so it's more than fitting that this group were nominated for an award and were national runners-up," he added.

The centre has received several awards since it opened in 2019 including a Digital Tourism award, which celebrates projects that can demonstrate the use of technology to attract visitors.