Longford Lights Festival 2025 promises an exciting programme of art installations, events and performances over four magical nights in February. The festival is an evening event taking place in Connolly Barracks and for the first time extends beyond the barracks wall to include artworks and entertainment across Longford Town.
We have over 50 artists and performers coming from all over Ireland, UK, Italy, Spain, Ukraine, Poland and Finland. Highlights include Metamorphosis, a spectacular ensemble piece that includes fire, dance and music all brought together with projection art; Oculucis, by Italian artist Hermes “Hem” Mangialardo; Community Chandeliers facilitated by Michelle Dufaur; artworks dotted along main street; a silent disco in the Market Square; and Backstage Theatre will be presenting their hit children’s play Luminaria in St. John’s Hall.
Integral to Longford Lights are our signature community art projects. This year we have several projects including Taipeis – Interwoven Threads, a partnership project with Creative Ireland Longford-Westmeath, that celebrates the stories of emigrants through art making.Entry to the main festival site in Connolly Barracks is by ticket only.Entry times are at the set times of 6.30pm, 7.30pm, and 8.30pm.
Longford Lights Festival 2025 promises an exciting programme of art installations, events and performances over four magical nights in February. The festival is an evening event taking place in Connolly Barracks and for the first time extends beyond the barracks wall to include artworks and entertainment across Longford Town.
We have over 50 artists and performers coming from all over Ireland, UK, Italy, Spain, Ukraine, Poland and Finland. Highlights include Metamorphosis, a spectacular ensemble piece that includes fire, dance and music all brought together with projection art; Oculucis, by Italian artist Hermes “Hem” Mangialardo; Community Chandeliers facilitated by Michelle Dufaur; artworks dotted along main street; a silent disco in the Market Square; and Backstage Theatre will be presenting their hit children’s play Luminaria in St. John’s Hall.
Integral to Longford Lights are our signature community art projects. This year we have several projects including Taipeis – Interwoven Threads, a partnership project with Creative Ireland Longford-Westmeath, that celebrates the stories of emigrants through art making.Entry to the main festival site in Connolly Barracks is by ticket only.Entry times are at the set times of 6.30pm, 7.30pm, and 8.30pm.
Festival Origins
The festival began in 2022 during lockdown, when artist Tom Meskell was commissioned, under the Arts Council’s Faoin Speir Award, to develop a lantern installation in Longford’s Connolly Barracks – a former English cavalry barracks. Tom worked with local communities to produce Light Brigade – a collection of life-size horses to celebrate Longford’s equine heritage. The installation was a massive success and in 2023, Tom developed the first official Longford Lights Festival. In 2024, Caroline Conway was appointed artistic director, and the festival continues to grow in size, attendance and artistic ambition.
Festival Team
- Artistic Director: Caroline Conway
- Assistant Artistic Director: Tommy Casby
- Festival Producer: Shane Crossan
- Production Manager: Lisa Brady
- Site Manager: Gavin Smith
- Stage Manager: Ani Morten
Partners
Mide Arts GroupBackstage Theatre and Centre for the ArtsBirr Vintage and Arts Festival
2025 Funders
Longford County Council
Longford County Council are the principal funders of Longford Lights and includes contributing departments – County Longford Arts Services, Longford Tourism, Longford Night Time Economy Programme, Communications, Environment and Safety.
Arts Council
The Arts Council have supported Longford Lights with the Festival Investment Scheme (FIS) and a Spectacle Project Award.
Creative Ireland
CI Longford-Westmeath support Longford Lights with Taipeis – Interwoven Threads Programme.