The Book of Rights notes that the high king was entitled to have bilberries from Brí Leith as part of his harvest meal.

[5] During the medieval period, Ardagh experienced some "religious turmoil",[3] and in 1167 the settlement, including the church and houses, was burned down.

Then, in 1230, Ardagh was the scene of contest for the role of bishop, resulting it the destruction of the episcopal house and cathedral tower.

After the attack, the cathedral was left without a roof, sacristy, campanile, and bell, leaving only a single altar standing.

[3] According to local legend, Goldsmith's visit to Ardagh House inspired his comedy She Stoops to Conquer or Mistakes of a Night.

The following morning, Goldsmith was made aware of his mistake and, years after the experience, he used the events to influence the plot of his comedy.

The village was awarded the Prix d'Honneur of the Entente Florale and won the Irish Tidy Towns Competition on three occasions in 1989, 1996 and 1998.

[3] The original fasciae are ornately carved timber however, this is another category of features that have been replaced with modern equivalents.

Every house designed by Rawson Carroll also has a shed which (together with the boundary walls) is part of the "character of the village".