Ardagh (or Árd Archadh in Irish) is a town in County Longford, Ireland about 10 km from Longford Town. It is located off the N4 road. County Longford (Irish: Longphort) is a county situated in the Irish Midlands, in northwest Leinster. ... Longford (An Longfort in Irish) is the county town of County Longford in the Midlands of Ireland. ... The N4 road is a National primary route in the Republic of Ireland, running from Dublin to the northwest of Ireland and Sligo Town. ...

There are several important Early Christian sites in and near Ardagh, including the Church of St. Mel. (It is suggested that Saint Patrick built a church here in the fifth century and installed Saint Mel as bishop.) This article outlines the history of Christianity and provides links to relevant topics. ... Saint Patrick Saint Patrick (386–March 17, 493, see below) was a missionary and is regarded as the patron saint of Ireland (along with Saint Brigid and Saint Columba). ... A bishop is an ordained member of the Christian clergy who, in certain Christian churches, holds a position of authority. ...

Adragh's Heritage Centre tracks the history of the town, including it's literary associations, which include featuring pseudonymously in Oliver Goldsmith's She Stoops to Conquer, and in a poem by Eavan Boland. Oliver Goldsmith Oliver Goldsmith (November 10, 1730(?) – April 4, 1774) was an Irish writer and physician known for his novel The Vicar of Wakefield (1766), his pastoral poem The Deserted Village (1770) (written in memory of his brother), and his plays The Good-naturd Man (1768) and She Stoops... She Stoops to Conquer is a comedy by Oliver Goldsmith, first performed in 1773. ... Eavan Boland (born 1944) is an Irish poet and essayist. ...

Much of the town was built as an 'Estate Village' in the 19th century, based on a Swiss design, and has received some acclaim for it's beauty, being awarded the Prix d'Honneur of the Entente Florale and winning the National Tidy Towns Competition on three occasions. The Entente Florale is an international horticultural competition. ...

External links and sources

• Ardagh Village - History and Information
• Ardagh Village - Pictures of heritage town housing
• Longford County Council Website - Ardagh - History and attractions