REVEALED | Seven recipients of inaugural Longford Arts Recognition Awards

County Longford Arts Service, in collaboration with Longford County Council and media partner The Longford Leader, is proud to announce the seven recipients of the inaugural Longford Arts Recognition Awards.

The seven recipients are Anica Louw, Noel Monahan, Luke Casserly, Michael Casey, Michael Keegan-Dolan, Paul Gurney and Shelley Corcoran.

The awards will be presented at a special ceremony in the Backstage Theatre on Friday, 25 September at 7pm, bringing together artists, their families and supporters from across the county for an evening celebrating Longford's creative community.

Longford's cultural life has long been shaped by the imagination of its people.

The literary legacy of Maria Edgeworth, Oliver Goldsmith and Padraic Colum runs alongside the work of today's writers, musicians, dancers and visual artists, showcased through Backstage Theatre, local galleries, community arts groups and traditional music sessions in towns and villages across the county.

The Longford Arts Recognition Awards have been established to give that ongoing contribution the recognition it deserves.

Over the past two months a public campaign in the Longford Leader and online encouraged citizens to nominate artists and creatives that have contributed substantially to the arts scape of the county. Ninety-six nominations were received.

A selection committee then had the difficult task of choosing seven recipients from these nominations based on a number of criteria including the scale and quality of nominee’s contribution in Longford and beyond.

Ceramic artist Michelle O’Donnell from Glass Hammer Studios has been commissioned to create unique award sculptures that will be presented to recipients on the night.

A perpetual memorial award honouring the lifetime contribution to the arts of the late Gus Hanley will be presented to an emerging Longford Artist and will include a €1,000 prize bursary.

Gus was very active in theatre and music, winning several national awards as an actor and director and was a founder member of Backstage Theatre and Backstage Youth Theatre.

Cathaoirleach of Longford County Council, Cllr Gerry Hagan who will preside over the inaugural Longford Arts Recognition Awards 2026 said, “These seven recipients reflect the depth and range of talent we are fortunate to have in county Longford, from dance and sculpture to poetry, music and performance.

“Each of them has contributed a great deal to our community, and it gives me enormous pride to see their work recognised in this way.

“I commend Longford Arts Office for organising these awards and look forward to joining the artists and their friends at Backstage Theatre to celebrate with them on the night.”

Chief Executive of Longford County Council, Samantha Healy said, “These awards are about celebrating the people whose creativity, dedication and generosity have enriched life in County Longford.

“Through their work, our recipients have inspired audiences, nurtured talent, strengthened communities and helped showcase Longford far beyond our county boundaries.

“It is fitting that we take this opportunity to acknowledge their achievements and thank them for the lasting contribution they have made to our cultural life.”

The Longford Arts Recognition Awards ceremony takes place at Backstage Theatre on Friday, 25 September at 7pm.

All of Longford’s Art community are invited to attend and join in celebrating the achievements of these seven artists.

People who are interested in attending can book their place at Backstage Theatre Box Office on 0433347888 or www.backstage.ticketsolve.com

For further information on the Longford Arts Recognition Awards, or on County Longford Arts Service more visit longfordarts.ie or follow County Longford Arts Service on social media.

For more on Longford County Council, visit longfordcoco.ie or contact the Arts Office on 043 33 43410.