Longford people will be proud to know that in the 18th century their county led the way in the production of flax and set the standard for the industry in Ireland.
This is one of the many interesting facts contained in a recent publication on the industry called The History of Flax and Linen in Co Longford.
The author, Paddy Egan, was asked by Longford Historical Society in January 1996 to conduct research into the effects of the Great Famine on his parish of Kilcommock, in south Longford.
During his work he was amazed to find so many references to flax and linen production in his area and in the county generally, especially in the 18th century.
He discovered that in this century flax was the only cash crop produced by the majority of the people in his native county.
He found potatoes and oats were produced to feed the people and animals, and the flax supplied the rest of the needs of the Longford families.
The crop was produced during the summer, and the yarn was woven during the winter, keeping the people occupied all year around.
They became highly skilled at the industry, and their craftsmanship was known and widely recognised as Longford linen matched the best in the world.
In 1796 there were 8,000 flax-growers in Longford - the fourth smallest county in Ireland in land area (421 square miles) - a ratio higher per square mile than in any other county in Ireland.
The county, he found, had many centres set up to promote the linen trade, and foreign buyers would travel to Ballymahon and Granard to buy product.
Lanesboro became an export centre as boats carried linen and hemp down the Shannon for export.
The quality of the industry was aided by the arrival of Scottish Protestant farmers from the north of Ireland who settled in north Longford and a substantial community grew up there which was known locally as "Scots Quarter".
The Great Famine, coupled with the introduction of cotton on a large scale, sounded the death knell of the industry, which has now almost faded from even folk memory in the county.
Paddy Egan and Longford Historical Society want to keep that memory alive, and anyone wishing to acquire the publication should contact the society at (043) 46735.