Tour of Maria Edgeworth Centre, Ireland

What Our Visitors Say

The wealth of history and heritage hidden away behind the Main St. was breath-taking, but what we remember mostly were the people this is what tourists come to Ireland for.

We were amazed at how much information there was and the richness of the literary and intellectual heritage emanating from such a small area. The narrative was engaging; being at once simple and charged with information, especially the type of information which comes from local knowledge…

The highlight of my holiday to Ireland, amazing the extraordinary story of Edgeworthstown's literary and cultural heritage, particularly the strong Oscar Wilde connection...

Incredible memorable visit, cannot wait to return next year with another group...

Blog Excerpts..

Maria Edgeworth returned to Longford this week end, and what a delight to meet her again.

This time she was at the Back Stage Theatre in an adaptation of Castle Rackrent by Johnny Hanrahan with a wonderful cast.

Many years ago, on the Aran Islands, I first read Castle Rackrent, and used one of nature’s wild flowers as a preserved book mark, which happens to be still in Sir Condy’s page. This time I saw the author’s humour anew, with subtleties missed back then, but now superbly highlighted with a great Cast. They enjoyed their role which we in turn enjoyed.

She came back to Edgeworthstown today to celebrate her 250th birthday.

Maria Edgeworth is not dead.

She came back to Edgeworthstown today to celebrate her 250th birthday.

She moved quietly along the west wall of the new chapel, noting on her way the full seats, attentive and anticipating. She seemed to approve of this new chapel, not there in her time, but now part of her manor home, and part too of the wider community.

She crossed to the writing desk, the old familiar oak, designed specifically by her prodigiously talented father, Richard Lovell.

John Langan was there. She spoke to him and started to reminisce, and listened to his reassuring common sense.