Lifford Old Courthouse

About the museum

Lifford Old Courthouse stands on the Diamond in Lifford, the historic county town of Donegal. The local architect Michael Priestley designed it and it was completed in 1746 so that an assizes judge could sit in the county. Below the courtroom is the county gaol, a cramped basement used to hold debtors, felons and, later, people then described as lunatics. A larger jail was built beside the courthouse in 1793, and it was demolished in 1907.

After a period of decline the courthouse was partly restored in the late 1980s and then fully renovated, and it reopened in 1994 as a heritage centre. It is run today as a social enterprise. Visitors can take a guided tour of the cells, in which they are charged, sentenced and fingerprinted before learning about prison life, punishments such as transportation, and prisoners such as James Napper Tandy and John Half-Hanged MacNaghten. Self-guided tours with brochures in several languages are available all year.

The Lifford Museum is a newer part of the building. It brings together the collection of the County Donegal Historical Society, formerly kept in Rossnowlagh, the Donegal Ancestry collection from Ramelton and artefacts from the courthouse itself. Exhibits range from the Stone Age and Bronze Age through the Penal period to Irish independence, and include copies of the Book of Ballymote and the Annals of the Four Masters, objects linked to Napper Tandy and the nurse Catherine Black, and Muckish glassware. The building also houses a bistro, an escape room called Jailbreak and function rooms.

Highlights

• Original county gaol cells beneath a courthouse of 1746
• Guided jail tour with a role-play start
• Free Lifford Museum of Donegal history, including the former Rossnowlagh collection
• Copies of the Book of Ballymote and the Annals of the Four Masters
• Courthouse Bistro in the former Grand Courtroom

Permanent exhibitions

• Lifford Museum – A free museum that combines the County Donegal Historical Society collection, the Donegal Ancestry collection and courthouse artefacts, covering the Stone Age to Irish independence.
• Guided and self-guided jail tours – The original cells of the county gaol, with stories of crime, punishment and well-known prisoners.

Founded

1994

Operated by

Lifford Old Courthouse (social enterprise)

Admission & discounts

The museum is free to enter during opening hours. The self-guided tour of the cells costs €5 per person and includes a brochure in English, Irish, French, Spanish, German and Ukrainian. The website shows slightly different guided tour prices on its tour page and its visitor information page. Euro and sterling are accepted.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

A side ramp gives step-free access, floors are level through the foyer and restaurant, and a lift serves all floors. Accessible toilets are on the ground and lower floors and baby changing is available, but there is no Changing Places toilet. A hearing loop is at reception and an audio guide is available for the tour. Two accessible parking spaces are at the side of the building. Assistance dogs are welcome. No wheelchairs are available to borrow.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Baby changing facilities

The jail tour is described as suitable for all ages and a family ticket is offered. A shorter Junior Jailbreak is aimed at ages 8 to 12.

Getting there & parking

Lifford is about 15 miles from Letterkenny and from Derry, and lies across the River Foyle from Strabane.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Restaurant
• Museum shop: not available

The Courthouse Bistro serves breakfast and lunch on weekdays. There is no retail outlet on site.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties
• Corporate events
• Weddings / ceremonies

The historic courtroom and function rooms can be hired for parties, weddings, meetings and conferences.

Plan your visit