Longford Parish includes the town of Longford and its surrounding region, which is the major town of Co. Longford, which is located in the Irish Midlands on the east bank of the River Shannon. The parish’s traditional name is ‘Templemichael and Ballymacormack.’ Currently, the parish has about 4,000 households.
It is also the Cathedral parish of the Ardagh & Clonmancois Diocese. Bishop Colm O’Reilly lives in the parish, as do the diocesan offices and pastoral centre.
Longford’s Catholic faithful are presently served by five priests. St. Mel’s Cathedral, St. Anne’s Church, Curry, and St. Michael’s Church, Shroid are the three churches. Longford Parish priests have also served the neighbouring parishes of Killashee and Clondra for many years. St. Joseph’s Hospital also has a chapel, which is administered by the hospital’s chaplain, Fr. Jim Regan of St. Patrick’s Missionary Society, Kiltegan. There is a Convent of Mercy in town, as well as Mercy nuns. Among other educational efforts, there are six National Schools, one Special School, and three secondary schools.
It is a lively parish with numerous continuing activities by a people of profound faith-based in a tradition that dates back to the time of St. Mel in the fifth century and continues to the current day.
