Digitisation of Pakenham Papers to increase access to historical documents

Members of the Pakenham family to attend event in Longford Library 

Press Release: Monday, 10 March 2025 

To mark the digitisation of a selection of the Pakenham Family Archive, an event will be held in Longford Library on Wednesday, 19 March at 7.30pm. The event is jointly organised by Longford County Library, Archives, Arts and Heritage Services and the County Longford Historical Society, and all are welcome to attend. 

The event will introduce these newly digitised primary sources of local historical significance. The Pakenham Papers contains numerous documents stretching back through 400 years of County Longford's history. Their digitisation has made the documents much more accessible, and they are now available to view through the Longford County Archive Service. 

The event will be attended by the current head of the Pakenham family and distinguished historian and author, Thomas Pakenham. He will be joined by his daughter, Eliza Chisholm. Also in attendance will be members of the County Longford Historical Society, who proposed this digitisation project as part of its 50th anniversary celebrations in 2017. This was agreed to by Thomas Pakenham. The process of selecting documents began; however, the COVID-19 pandemic significantly delayed the completion of this project. 

In 1620, Francis Aungier, an ancestor of the Pakenham, was granted Longford Town by King James I during the plantation of the county. From 1740, the Pakenham family of Tullynally Castle, Castlepollard in County Westmeath owned Longford town and the surrounding area. In the twentieth century, the family's tenants gradually bought their properties, and the family's ownership of the land ceased. The Pakenham family still hold the title Earl of Longford, although this title is not used by Thomas Pakenham. 

Longford Historical Society Chairperson Pat Donnelly is delighted to see this project finally completed to the great benefit of those interested in local history. "These documents are very important for the history of Longford town, and we are so happy to be able to have the images available locally. We thank Thomas Pakenham and his family for their support because without it, we could not have done this."

Longford County Council Cathaoirleach Cllr Mark Casey sees the significant benefits the project brings to the people of Longford. "Local people will now be able to see these fantastic archives incredibly easily and without fear of damaging the primary sources. It is amazing to think that 400 years of history is now at our fingertips. I hope the ease of access will encourage and open up new opportunities for research into County Longford. I thank all involved for their determination to see this project through to completion."

Longford County Council Chief Executive Paddy Mahon similarly praised all involved. "The County Longford Historical Society is to be congratulated for taking on this project. It shows, once again, the society's commitment to the county's history and making it accessible to all. The Council is incredibly proud to have been able to support this project through the work of our Archives team."