Lifford
A small town doing a whole county's paperwork from a Georgian courthouse in the Diamond. Lifford, the county town of County Donegal, stands on the River Foyle, opposite Strabane.
Best sites to see in Lifford
Lifford Old Courthouse
The Georgian courthouse in The Diamond, now a heritage and visitor centre with exhibitions on the old jail and on life in Lifford and east Donegal.
The Diamond and the River Foyle
The small central square of the county town and the nearby banks of the River Foyle, a well-known salmon river, joined to Strabane by Lifford Bridge.
Cavanacor House and Gallery
A historic house and gallery just outside the town in a riverside setting, hosting exhibitions, gardens and a cafe.
Where to stand, and when
- Lifford Bridge over the River Foyle: Photograph at sunset for light on the river and the view across to Strabane.
- The Old Courthouse in The Diamond: Morning gives clean light on the courthouse frontage in the quiet square.
- The Foyle riverbank near the town: Early morning often brings mist over this wide, slow stretch of the river.
Lifford through history
Lifford is the county town of County Donegal, despite its small size, and remains the county's administrative centre.
The town grew at a strategic crossing point of the River Foyle, on the border between the territories of the O'Neills and the O'Donnells.
Lifford stands directly opposite Strabane in County Tyrone, across the Foyle, and the two towns have long been linked by a bridge at this crossing.
Practical tips
- Lifford is small and walkable, and pairs naturally with a visit across the bridge to Strabane.
- Remember that Lifford uses the euro while Strabane, in Northern Ireland, uses sterling.
- Check the Old Courthouse opening days in advance, as heritage centres in small towns often open limited hours outside summer.
What's on
No anchor festival is based here, but the Irish year is full: next up nationally is TradFest (20–24 Jan 2027, Temple Bar, Dublin). See the full events calendar