LONG'FORD, an inland co. of the province of Leinster, Ireland, lying between Leitrim and Cavan on the n., Westmeath on the e. and s., and Roscommon on the w.; 29 tn. long from n. to s., and 22 m4 from. e. to west. Its area is 209,409 acres, of which 191.823 are arable; population ha 1871, 64,501. The surface is for the most part moist and flat, with the exception of a slightly elevated central range, the greatest elevation of which is only 912 feet. Many small lakes pervade the county, and the river Shannon, or its nursing lakes, connect Longford with the county and city of Limerick. Its navigation is also connected with Dublin by the Royal canal, which traverses the county to the town of Longford, and terminates in the river Shannon at Clondra; and there are two branches of the 3lidland Great 1Vestern railvray which pass through the county, from Mullingar to Longford and Cavan. The south of the county forms part of the central limestone district of Ireland. The north is a: continuation of the clay-slate which prevails in Cavan, the two districts being separated by a belt of yel low sandstone and conglomerate, which projects from the east of Leitrim. Deep beds of marl are found in many of the boggy- districts. Marble of good quality is
also found, and ironstone, with coal, shale, and lead, of good quality, but not in remunerative quantity-. The limestone district of the south is suited to tillage, and produces excellent wheat. The north is chiefly devoted to pasture. The number of acres under crop in 1876 was 72,859. In the same year, there were 59,933 cattle, 33,221 sheep, and 22,254 pigs. The chief towns are Longford (q.v.), Granard, and Bally mahon. Longford returns two members to parliament. The number of national schools, in 1871, was 132, attended by 7,305 pupils; in 1875 there were 14,060 pupils (18,232 being Catholics). Longford anciently formed part of the kingdom df Meath, and as such was included in Henry II.'s grant to Hugh de Lacy. It was erected into a county in 1564, but in the rebellion of 1641 it was recovered for a brief period by the O'Farrells, and, on the suppression of this rising, almost the entire county was distributed as confiscated lands to a new race of colonists. The antiquities are of much interest. The islands of Lough Ree are espeoially rich in monastic remains.