The journey was part of an assisted-emigration scheme during the Great Famine. It passed through Longford along the Royal Canal corridor, where the route can still be followed on sections of today’s greenway.
The National Famine Way remembers those who walked east, leaving their homes and facing a long and uncertain crossing. Commemorative shoe markers and information at selected sites give the towpath a different meaning from its role as a recreation route.
Longford stopping points include Cloondara and places along the canal towards Abbeyshrule. The full trail continues well beyond the county, so a local walk is one part of a much longer story.
It is worth looking beyond the famous number. Lists of individuals, emigration records and contemporary reports help connect the history to families, livelihoods and the decisions made in 1847.
Use the official Famine Way map to choose a section and the greenway information for current access. Distances and trail services vary along the route.
The county section is substantial in its own right: Visit Longford gives approximately 33.7 km of the National Famine Way within Longford, passing places including Cloondara, Mosstown Harbour, Ballybrannigan Harbour and Abbeyshrule. The entire commemorative route is about 165 km from Strokestown to Dublin, so those two distances should not be confused.
For a short Longford outing, select one signed canal stretch rather than setting off on the full 165 km route. The National Famine Way map and app provide the heritage stops and current route planning.
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