Longford (County Galway barony)
Barony in County Galway, Ireland
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Longford (Irish: An Longfort) is a historical barony in southeastern County Galway, Ireland.[1][2]
_-_geograph.org.uk_-_4071651.jpg)
Longford
An Longfort (Irish) | |
|---|---|
Longford Castle, the O'Madden stronghold | |
 Barony map of County Galway, 1900; Longford is in the southeast, coloured green. | |
  Longford | |
| Coordinates: 53°12′N 8°14′W | |
| Sovereign state | Ireland |
| Province | Connacht |
| County | Galway |
| Area | |
• Total | 390.5 km2 (150.8 sq mi) |
Baronies were mainly cadastral rather than administrative units. They acquired modest local taxation and spending functions in the 19th century before being superseded by the Local Government (Ireland) Act 1898.[3]
History
The name is from a medieval longphort (ship landing-ground used by Vikings) that was located on the River Shannon east of Killimor, called Longphort Uí Mhadadhain ("landing-place of the O'Maddens"); their castle was located 2.8 km (1.7 mi) northwest of the river.[4]
This region was anciently called Síol Anmchadha, and its medieval Gaelic lords were the Ó Madagáin or O Madadhain (O'Madagan or O'Madden), based in Portumna,[5] who also ruled Garrycastle, County Offaly.[6][7]
Longford barony was created before 1574.
Geography
Longford is in the southeast of the county, on the west bank of the River Suck, where it forms part of the border with County Roscommon, and the west bank of the River Shannon and north bank of Lough Derg where they form the border with County Tipperary.[2]
List of settlements
Settlements within the historical barony of Longford include:[8]