Lifford Courthouse, Neoclassical courthouse in Lifford, Ireland
Lifford Courthouse is a neoclassical courthouse featuring an asymmetrical main facade with eight bays and a central doorway framed in stone. The royal coat of arms of George II appears above the entrance.
The architect Michael Priestley completed the building in 1746, and it originally housed a prison in its basement. After a separate jail facility opened in 1793, the basement space was repurposed.
The building serves as a visitor center where actors portray historical prisoners during guided tours through the former cells and chambers. These performances bring to life the stories of those once held within.
The courthouse is accessible with guided jail tours offered on weekdays, allowing visitors to explore the former cells and prison spaces. An on-site bistro serves breakfast and lunch for those who want to eat while visiting.
The building once held notable prisoners including James Napper Tandy and crew members from a French frigate linked to Wolfe Tone. This connection to Irish independence history makes it a significant place of political memory.
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