The Courthouse
By the end of the 17th century, the well-established settlers were anxious to have an administration to look after their affairs, as well as a purpose-built Courthouse which would enable a circuit assizes judge to visit the county. This became possible with the development of the Grand Jury system after 1662 which brought together the prominent landlords in the area who were bestowed with powers to raise money by means of a tax or 'cess' which they levied on the county at large. The proceeds of the cess were then used for such things as the construction and repair of roads, the building and maintenance of gaols and courthouses, bringing in prisoners and, if necessary, transporting them 'beyond the seas'.
It was this system, along with the required legislation, that allowed the Grand Jury to approach the architect, Michael Priestley, in 1743 to draw up plans for a Courthouse that is still regarded as "one of the finest buildings in the North". The building also incorporated the County Gaol in the basement which was to last as a place of confinement for debtors, felons and eventually 'lunatics', until a new gaol was completed next to the Courthouse in 1793. The Courthouse itself, however, continued to hold trials until 1938.
Extract from "The Court Will Rise - A short history of the Old Courthouse, Lifford, Co. Donegal" by Billy Patton.