Over 80 artists and community group representatives attend the Longford Lights Seminar
Over 80 artists and community group representatives attend the Longford Lights Seminar
Press Release: Monday, 20 January 2025
The Longford Lights Seminar brought together over 80 local, national and international artists and local community group representatives earlier this month. The seminar is part of the preparations for the festival which returns to Longford Town from Thursday, 20 to Sunday, 23 February.
Organised by Longford County Council’s County Longford Arts Service and the Mide Arts Group, the seminar took place in the Backstage Theatre in Longford, festival partner for Longford Lights 2025. Artists came from the United Kingdom, and all over Ireland. Local groups in attendance included Longford Federation of the Irish Countrywomen’s Association, Longford Scouts and participating schools.
At the seminar attendees got to see the artist team led by the festival’s Artistic Director Caroline Conway. Some of the artists involved also presented the work they are bringing to the festival this year and attendees had an opportunity to participate in a lantern making workshop.
Following on from this Seminar, Caroline and her team will be busy with further preparations for the upcoming festival. This includes developing an art piece in Connolly Barracks. Each community group and school will collaborate with the artist to progress ideas and complete each artwork. This artwork will come together to create a large-scale immersive experience using sound, light, space and pyrotechnics.
Longford County Council Cathaoirleach Cllr Mark Casey, “Great progress is being made for Longford Lights 2025, with excellent artists on board making innovative artwork. It is great also to see the active involvement of local schools and community groups and organisations from right across County Longford. These experiences help us to come together and learn new skills. It is definitely time to start getting your tickets and preparing your visit to Longford Lights 2025.”
Longford County Council Chief Executive Paddy Mahon said, “Through the Arts Service, the Council is proud to support Longford Lights 2025. It is great to see the work put in so far, it is sure to be an excellent event, one which will welcome many people to our county town and one which Longford Town can be proud of.”
Longford County Council Acting Arts Officer and festival producer Shane Crossan said, “Longford Lights was the biggest community-based art illumination festival in Ireland last year with over 12,000 people attending. This year we have ambitious plans to expand the festival with more local and national artists and more Longford community groups participating.”
Longford Lights 2025 Assistant Artistic Director Tommy Casby discussed the importance of the seminar for helping everyone get ready for this year’s festival. “This is a great way to energise everyone involved in the project. It gives everyone a chance to get acquainted and share their work.”
Backstage Theatre manager Mona Considine said “The festival is going from strength to strength and Backstage Theatre are delighted to be involved. This year Backstage are participating in the festival by performing an exciting family-friendly play called ‘Luminaria’. The play will be staged in St John's Hall across from the festival.”
Bernie McBrien from Longford Scouts who is looking forward to the festival added, “What’s really great about this festival is the inclusion of groups and schools across the county. It gives the whole community a chance to work with professional artists and create something absolutely amazing.”
Longford Scouts have come up with this year’s festival theme of ‘Spectacular Lightness’. The group made a submission to be involved in the festival which was inspired by their love of camping.
Longford Lights 2025 takes place from 6pm to 10pm from Thursday, 20 to Sunday, 23 February. Large attendance is anticipated so to avoid disappointment book tickets now on Longfordlights.ie.
