Maria Edgeworth Centre & Literary Trail
Ballymahon Rd, Edgeworthstown, Co. Longford, N39 E3C8

About
The Maria Edgeworth Centre is located in an 1840 school in Edgeworthstown, Co Longford, right off the N4 Sligo-Dublin road. The museum opened in 2019 and is dedicated to Maria Edgeworth an enlightened feminist that was the most celebrated English language novelist of her era. Guided and supported by her father Richard Lovell Edgeworth, an inventor, surveyor and educator, they attempted to set up a universal education system for Ireland, as early as 1799. It was to educate rich and poor, boys and girls, Catholics and Protestants, together. The old school building has been adapted to interpret the story of the Edgeworth Family and their contribution to science, literature, education and politics. Visitors can hear wonderful stories of Edgeworthstown’s past and its connections with historical figures such as Goldsmith, Scott, Wordsworth, Byron and Wilde. The Museum contains many valuable artefacts dating back to the 17th Century and also houses a recreation of a 19th century school room with genuine artefacts including, desks, school books, maps, writing copies etc.
There is the possibility to prearrange a guided town walk “The Edgeworth Literary Trail“ with a local guide to discover the ancestral home of the Edgeworth, now a nursing home, the adjacent Walled Garden, the Rectory, home to Oliver Goldsmith, and St. John’s Church and graveyard where Isola Wilde, Oscar Wild sister, is buried.
Visitor Information
Opening hours:
Tuesday – Friday 10am – 5pm
Saturday & Sunday 11am – 5pm
Last admission 1h before closing
The Maria Edgeworth Centre
Visit Length: 1 hour self-guided or guided
Photography permitted
Access: Partially wheelchair accessible (just the ground floor of the centre)
Admission: €5 Adults, €3 children 10-16, children under 10 are free,
group rates available
Group Size: min 10
Audio Guides: available in different languages
(Irish, English, German, French, Spanish, Italian, Chinese)
Booking: Essential for groups
Amenities:
– Toilets + Disabled Toilets
– Free Parking, Coach parking available
– Picnic and playground facilities
– Shop and Café planned for 2022


The Edgeworth Literary Trail
Visit Length: 1.5 – 2 h guided tour
Admission: €15 per person
Group Rates available
Booking: Essential for groups
Group Size: min 10
Photography permitted
Access: Partially wheelchair accessible, but there are roads to be crossed
Comfortable foot ware and weather wear recommended