NAMA Starts Demolition of apartments at Gleann Riada

Gleann Riada was originally built by the Jackson Group from Northern Ireland with planning granted in 2004. Over seventy houses were also built with plans for several hundred more and a hotel, petrol station and retail units which were never built. Local opinion seems to be in favour of the demolition and there was much surprise at the development being built at Ballyminion given that it was well known to flood and better known for duck shooting than housing. Below are a few pictures of the start of the demolition.

Longford Expo

The Longford Expo was a great success with a huge turnout. The weather was great and it was good to see the empty shopping centre put to good use. The shopping centre was built by McNamara construction but never found any tenants and is now in Nama. Let's hope someone can come up with creative ideas for the space. It is in a nearly completed stage of finish and appears to have been well maintained while vacant.

Carrigglas Update

Carrigglas Development outside Longford on the Ballinalee Road has been in receivership since 2008 with no sign of any one interested in the property. The development is on over 600 acres and was planned to have 330 new homes. Below you can see the current state of the place. It is difficult to know who would want to buy it as it is no longer suitable for agricultural use without a lot of investment. The original website is still up at www.carrigglas.ie.

Ardagh College sold for E1.36million

The college was originally sold for E5.2 million in October 2007. The property consists of 214 acres of land suitable for farming and the original college buildings. The reduction in price reflects the overall decline in property prices throughout the county but it is somewhat surprising that agricultural land hasn't held up better given the strength of the farming sector and the sharp increase in farm incomes. More details from the Irish Independent.

Longford Town Council buy old Army Barracks

Connolly  Army barracks in Co Longford was officially signed over to the county’s local authorities for €450,000 today. 

Longford Developer in Receivership

Local Developers, Leatime Construction are in receivership following moves by ACC to call in their debts. Leatime have several developments around the midlands including Glasheen in Drumlish. Full details at the Sunday Business Post.
ACC seizes housing developments in Cavan, Longford and Leitrim.

Longford Army Barracks to close?

It looks like our local Army barracks may get the chop in the budget which is due out tomorrow. Sean Connolly barracks houses the 4th Cavalry and was an old British Barracks. More details at the Irish Independent.

ACCBank to close its Longford Branch

ACCBank is to close it's local Longford town branch as part of a cutback in services and will transfer staff to other locations. The closure is expected by January 16th 2009. Full details at the RTE website.

Longford to pass Athlone for shopping?

A new report from Experian suggests that Longford will overtake Athlone as the regions main shopping destination. From the Independent ...
"One of the surprising forecasts is in the midlands league, where it expects Longford, with a retail spend of €241m, to edge ahead of Athlone, at €232m by 2018, despite the latter's central location and third-level college."

Local Auctioneers close up office

The local branch of ERA Ireland in Longford town has closed up their office. They had been in business over two years but were unable to weather the downturn.