Longford Lights is held in Longford Town, Ireland every February and is the largest community-based light festival in the country. It consists of light installations, projections, performances and events. Artistic Director Caroline Conway leads a team of experienced artists to engage community groups, local artists and volunteers to create collaborative works through the medium of light. Longford Lights is produced by Longford County Council in partnership with Mide Arts Group.
Festival Origins
The festival began in 2022 during lockdown, when artist Tom Meskell was commissioned, under the Arts Council’s Faoin Speir Award, to develop a lantern installation in Longford’s Connolly Barracks – a former English cavalry barracks. Tom worked with local communities to produce Light Brigade – a collection of life-size horses to celebrate Longford’s equine heritage. The installation was a massive success and in 2023, Tom developed the first official Longford Lights Festival. In 2024, Caroline Conway was appointed artistic director, and the festival continues to grow in size, attendance and artistic ambition.
Festival Team
Artistic Director: Caroline Conway
Assistant Artistic Director: Tommy Casby
Festival Producer: Shane Crossan
Production Management: Brendan Hurley & Lisa Brady
Site Manager: Gavin Smith
Stage Manager: Ani Morten
Graphic Design: Rustylemon Design
Partners
Mide Arts Group
Backstage Theatre and Centre for the Arts
Birr Vintage and Arts Festival
2025 Funders
Longford County Council
Longford County Council are the principal funders of Longford Lights and includes contributing departments – County Longford Arts Services, Longford Tourism, Longford Night Time Economy Programme, Communications, Environment and Safety.
Arts Council
The Arts Council have supported Longford Lights with the Festival Investment Scheme (FIS) and a Spectacle Project Award.
Creative Ireland
CI Longford-Westmeath support Longford Lights with Taipeis – Interwoven Threads Programme.