Local History

In 1798 an expedition of French soldiers under the command of General Humbert landed with a number of Irish insurgents in Co. Mayo. They headed in the direction of Co. Longford where they intended to engage the English Forces. However, Humbert's army, by now enlarged with the addition of ill-armed Irish rebels, was attacked by the English at Ballinamuck. Humbert surrendered on the 8th September, 1798 to an immensely superior English army. When the battle was over, 500 bodies lay scattered throughout the battlefield - most of them Irish rebels who had refused to surrender. The Irish survivors were hunted down and mercilessly executed.

The revolutionary nature of the people of North Longford made its contribution in the War of Independence of 1921-22 as many of its menfolk comprised the 'Flying Columns'. This was acknowledged when Michael Collins himself selected Ballinamuck as one of the venues for a morale boosting visit at the height of the conflict. Today you can visit the site of the Battle of Ballinamuck. Within the excellent visitors centre you can re-live the famous battle and find out more of the local history.