'More interactive' New site on famed north Longford ambush will enhance visitor experience

The Clonfin Commemoration has long served as a significant point of interest for historical visitors, particularly with its recent milestone—the 105th anniversary commemoration of the famous ambush that took place at the memorial site between Granard and Ballinalee.

This year’s ceremony held special significance as it also marked the launch of a new website, www.clonfinambush.ie, designed to enhance the experience for those keen on exploring this pivotal event in Irish history.

Launching the website, committee Chairperson Ciaran Mac Eoin stated, the new website aims to engage individuals from further afield, facilitating a more interactive experience for those interested in the events surrounding the ambush.

The website provides a background to the events that led to the ambush, a detailed account of the ambush itself and crucial information that allows visitors to enrich their understanding of the struggles and triumphs faced by those involved.

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The Clonfin memorial site currently features informative signage, detailing the ambush, presenting a timeline of historical events between 1913 and 1923 and including an overview of the structure of the Longford Brigade and Company from 1919.

However, as valuable as these physical markers are, they are limited in the content they can provide.

Feedback from visitors to the site over the years, signals a desire for deeper insights into the historical events depicted, prompting the committee to explore innovative ways to improve the visitor experience.

In conjunction with Longford County Council and Create Interactive website design company, they began looking at the challenges they faced and what they wanted to achieve.

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They recognised that print and stationary media often struggles to engage younger audiences and casual visitors.
They decided to make history “come alive,” they needed a multi-sensory experience.

Secondly, historical groups serve a wide demographic—from tech-savvy students to older residents who may not be digital natives.

They considered user experience that work across all devices, ensuring the history is accessible to everyone, regardless of their technological proficiency.