Positive progress for Longford's Night-Time Economy
Building a varied and inclusive evening offer with culture, transport and live events
Press Release: Friday, 3 July 2026
Longford's Night-Time Economy continues to develop, with encouraging figures from the new One @ One late-night bus service, fully booked Café Lates events, new cultural funding for two County Longford venues and the launch of a new cinema series in Longford Town. The Night-Time Economy programme is one of the many programmes delivered by Longford County Council.
The One @ One pilot provides a 1am late-night bus service in Longford on selected Bank Holiday weekends and Culture Night. The service was introduced to address the need for safe and reliable late-night transport in rural towns and to support people working in and enjoying the night-time economy.
Early figures from the June Bank Holiday weekend show that 40 people used the Longford service. This positive response demonstrates demand for late-night transport and provides valuable information as the pilot continues throughout 2026.
The service will return for the August and October Bank Holiday weekends and for Culture Night on Friday, 18 September.
Two County Longford venues have also secured funding through the Department of Culture, Communications and Sport's After-Hours Museum and Gallery Funding Scheme.
Athena Gallery and Studio in Longford Town was awarded €7,200, while the Edgeworthstown District Development Association, which operates the Maria Edgeworth Centre, received €7,500.
The funding will support museums and galleries to extend their opening hours and provide new cultural experiences later in the day. It represents a further investment by the Department of Culture, Communications and Sport in Longford's cultural and night-time offering.
Café Lates has also returned to Longford Town, with events booking out and receiving a strong response from the public.
The initiative supports cafés to extend their usual opening hours and host welcoming, alcohol-free evening activities. Programmes can include live music, workshops, comedy, spoken word, book clubs, tastings and other creative events.
Café Lates aims to increase footfall, support participating businesses and develop a more inclusive evening café culture in Longford Town. It also provides additional social and cultural choices for people who may not wish to attend a traditional pub or nightclub setting.
Three local cafés, Athena Gallery Café, Torc Café and Gooseberry Café are participating in the initiative until the end of the year, helping to build momentum and consistency in Longford’s evening offering.
A further addition to Longford’s cultural programme is the Harp Cinema Series, recently launched at Edward J Valentine’s Bar on Main Street in Longford Town.
Developed by Longford-based production company Harp Media, the series brings Irish films and filmmaker question-and-answer sessions to the town. It is supported by Screen Ireland’s Audience Development Fund and Longford County Council’s Night-Time Economy initiative.
The programme creates a new opportunity for audiences to experience Irish cinema in an informal local venue while supporting Longford’s growing film and creative sector. A wide range of events and activities also take place across Longford Town in the evenings. The public is encouraged to come out and support these events, with full listings available on the new Visit Longford website: visitlongford.ie.
Cathaoirleach of Longford County Council Cllr Gerry Hagan said, “These developments show the steady progress being made in Longford’s Night-Time Economy. We are seeing investment support local venues, create new cultural experiences and improve the practical services people need to enjoy the town later in the evening.”
Chief Executive of Longford County Council, Paddy Mahon said, “Longford County Council’s aim is to build a varied and inclusive evening offer, with culture, transport, cafés, live events and alcohol-free activities all playing a part. This progress is being made through partnership with local businesses, venues, artists, community organisations and the Department of Culture, Communications and Sport.”
Head of Enterprise with Longford County Council, Michael Nevin, added, “The initial use of the One @ One service is particularly encouraging. Reliable late-night transport is important for public safety, accessibility and the local economy, and the information gathered through this pilot will help inform future services.”
Longford County Council Night-Time Economy Advisor Karen Reilly said, “The positive response to these initiatives shows that people want more choice in Longford after 6pm. Forty people used the late-night bus over the June Bank Holiday weekend, Café Lates events are booking out, and local businesses and venues are continuing to bring forward new ideas.”
Longford Town is one of nine pilot locations working to develop Ireland’s Night-Time Economy.
Continued investment from the Department of Culture, Communications and Sport is supporting Longford County Council and local partners to test new ideas, respond to local needs and build a safer, more welcoming and varied town-centre experience after 6pm.
Further information on Longford’s Night-Time Economy initiatives is available on the Longford County Council website and through Visit Longford social media channels.
