Longford County Council showcases Starter Home Purchase Scheme at PTSB Ideal Home Show
25 A-Rated Homes available at Cúirt an Easpaig offers discounts of up to €95,000
Press Release: Friday, 23 October 2026
Longford County Council recently showcased its new Starter Home Purchase Scheme at the PTSB Ideal Home Show, generating significant interest from prospective homebuyers seeking affordable pathways to home ownership.
As part of the programme, The Housing Activation team delivered a series of seminars throughout the event, providing attendees with comprehensive information on the Starter Home Purchase Scheme. The presentations outlined the scheme’s eligibility criteria, application process, and key benefits, while also promoting the Council’s current open scheme.
The seminars were well attended and included interactive question-and-answer sessions, providing prospective applicants with an opportunity to seek clarification on the scheme and discuss their individual circumstances. These sessions proved particularly valuable in addressing common queries, increasing awareness of the supports available, and helping attendees better understand the pathway to home ownership through the scheme.
Longford County Council’s Starter Home Purchase Scheme offers 25 high-quality A-rated family homes at Cúirt an Easpaig, Ballinalee Road, Longford Town. The scheme is designed to help bridge the gap between household incomes and house prices by making homes available below market value. Eligible purchasers may be able to access support of up to €95,000 towards the purchase of their new home.
The Starter Home Purchase Scheme can also be combined with the Help to Buy Scheme. Eligible first-time buyers may also qualify for up to €30,000 towards their deposit, making home ownership more affordable. This support is due to increase up to €35,000 from next year following the recent Budget announcement, making home ownership even more attainable.
Interest in the scheme was strong throughout the Ideal Home Show, with many attendees keen to learn more about affordable home ownership opportunities in Longford. Cathaoirleach of Longford County Council, Cllr Gerry Hagan, and Chief Executive Samantha Healy attended the event alongside staff from the Housing Section and representatives from DNG Begley, Athlone, to engage directly with prospective purchasers and answer queries about the scheme and life in Longford.
The Cúirt an Easpaig development includes five two-bedroom terrace homes, eight three-bedroom terrace homes and 12 three-bedroom semi-detached homes. All homes are built to an A-rated energy standard, offering excellent comfort, lower energy consumption and reduced household running costs.
Cathaoirleach of Longford County Council Cllr Gerry Hagan said, "I was delighted to attend the recent PTSB Ideal Home Show to support the Housing Team from Longford County Council. The response at the Ideal Home Show was extremely encouraging. Cúirt an Easpaig presents a real opportunity for individuals and families to purchase a high-quality A-rated home at a price that would otherwise be beyond reach for many buyers. Longford offers affordability, strong community connections, excellent amenities and an outstanding quality of life. We look forward to welcoming new residents who choose to make their home here.”
Chief Executive of Longford County Council, Samantha Healy said, "Making home ownership affordable is a key priority for Longford County Council, and the level of interest at the Ideal Home Show demonstrated the growing demand for initiatives such as this. The Starter Home Purchase Scheme is helping to make home ownership achievable for more people by reducing the financial barriers faced by many first-time buyers. These homes will support the creation of vibrant, sustainable communities while offering purchasers the opportunity to build their future in Longford. It was heartening to hear the positive feedback from people attending the Ideal Home Show and to be able to showcase all that Longford has to offer prospective new homeowners.”
Major Savings for Buyers
The scheme offers significant savings when compared to open market prices.
- Two-bedroom homes available from €228,220 compared to a market value of €323,220
- Three-bedroom terrace homes available from €309,152 compared to a market value of €404,152
- Three-bedroom semi-detached homes available from €308,759 compared to a market value of €403,759
These discounts give buyers the opportunity to purchase a new family home in a highly sought-after development at a substantially reduced cost.
Why Choose Longford?
Longford offers an excellent quality of life, combining the benefits of modern town living with the space, affordability, and sense of community that many homebuyers are seeking.
Situated in the heart of Ireland's Hidden Heartlands, Longford provides easy access to beautiful waterways, walking trails, sporting facilities, and outdoor amenities. Families benefit from excellent educational opportunities, a strong community spirit and a high quality of life.
Cúirt an Easpaig enjoys a convenient location on the Ballinalee Road, close to schools, shops, services, and amenities within Longford Town.
Longford continues to attract people who want a better work-life balance while remaining well connected.
The county benefits from excellent transport links including the N4, N5 and mainline rail services, making travel to Dublin and other regional centres straightforward.
Longford is also increasingly attractive for remote and hybrid workers. High-speed broadband connectivity allows people to work from home while enjoying more living space, lower housing costs, and a better quality of life.
The county is home to a range of major employers and a thriving local business sector, creating strong employment opportunities across manufacturing, services, and technology.
New Digital Brochure Now Available
To support prospective purchasers, Longford County Council also recently launched a new digital brochure showcasing the homes, development layout, eligibility criteria, and benefits of living in Longford.
The brochure also provides a step-by-step guide to the application process and can be viewed online at: https://www.longfordcoco.ie/services/housing/affordable-housing/cuirt-an-easpaig/
How to Apply
The scheme is aimed at first-time buyers and other eligible applicants who are unable to purchase a home at full market value.
Applications will be assessed on a first-come-first-served basis in line with Longford County Council’s Scheme of Priority.
Full details on eligibility criteria, application requirements and the application process are available at: www.longfordcoco.ie
For further information email: starterhomes@longfordcoco.ie or telephone 043 3343300.
