Maria Edgeworth Centre & Literary Trail

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.

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