Lifford Old Courthouse is a multi-purpose visitor centre offering guided jail tours, escape rooms, musical performances, room hire and an on-site bistro. Built in 1746 in the heart of Donegal, the building has been carefully restored through the dedication of the local community.
Today, it proudly serves as a welcoming place for everyone to enjoy, while also attracting visitors from across the world to experience all it has to offer.
Designed by architect Michael Priestley and completed in 1746, the Courthouse and County Gaol has been described by the National Inventory of Architectural Heritage as “the most impressive public building in Donegal, and one of the finest buildings of its type and date in Ireland.”
During its years of operation, it held many notable prisoners including James Napper Tandy and John ‘Half-Hung’ MacNaghten, along with thousands more.
Lifford Old Courthouse now operates as an award-winning centre under a social enterprise model. This means that all profits are reinvested into the organisation to create further employment opportunities in the local area.
With a broad range of activities, events and user groups, Lifford Old Courthouse continues to be a place the whole community can enjoy.
For more than 25 years, Latch (Lifford Association Tourist Commerce Heritage) CLG has operated Lifford Old Courthouse as a centre for the entire community. Established to preserve this historic building and create employment, we continue this mission today while also promoting arts, heritage, culture and community throughout Lifford and the surrounding area.
Host your party in our historic courtroom or one of our spacious function rooms. We can help you celebrate in style.
From music to comedy and more, explore our calendar of upcoming events at Lifford Old Courthouse.
We have flexible function rooms available for conferences, meetings and workshops throughout the year.
If you’d like to hear from us at Lifford Old Courthouse about upcoming events then sign up for our mailing list!
This project is supported by the Department of Rural and Community Development and Pobal through the Community Services Programme.
This project has been part-funded by the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media under Project Ireland 2040.
Tá an tionscadal seo páirt-mhaoinithe ag an Roinn Turasóireachta, Cultúir, Ealaíon, Gaeltachta, Spóirt agus Meán faoi Thionscadal Éireann 2040.
An Clár Feabhsúcháin 2025
Local Enhancement Programme 2025
Is í an Roinn Forbartha Tuaithe agus Pobail agus Gaeltachta a mhaoinigh an tionscadal seo faoin an Clár Feabhsúcháin 2025
This project has been funded by the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht under the Local Enhancement Programme 2025
We’re delighted to announce that Lifford Old Courthouse is one of the first social enterprises in Ireland to secure People & Planet First Verification.
What does this mean?
People & Planet First is a robust verification mark for social enterprises which is recognised globally and adopted in 130+ counties.
The verification focuses on five core standards:
Purpose: We exist to solve a social and/or environmental problem.
Operations: We prioritise purpose, people and planet over profit in operational decisions.
Revenue: We have a self-sustaining revenue model.
Use of surplus: We reinvest the majority of any surplus towards our purpose.
Structure: We choose legal structures and financing that protect and lock-in purpose long-term.a
