Paddy Egan, local historian visited our school and gave a very informative and engaging presentation on the history of the Royal Canal. He described the function of the Canal from its first opening in Clondra in 1817 to the present day. Paddy explained the use of barges to transport animals, Guinness, grain, flax and manure.
Many Longford people emigrated to America for the princely sum of £5 on the passenger fly boats. The use of the canal declined with the arrival of the Railway. The pupils were intrigued to learn that the canal was very busy during World War II but closed in 1962.
Thankfully the Canal re-opened in 2010 and once more fishing, boating, walking, jogging and cycling are popular on our beautiful Canal Ríoga.
