| Lifford is the official County Town of Donegal and is the centre of the County's administration, including Donegal County Council, the County Enterprise Board and the motor taxation offices. The town owes it origins to Manghus Ó Domhnaill, ruler of West Donegal, who built the Castle in the 16th century. During the Plantation of Uster Lifford was taken over by the British and an army garrison was established to protect the Planters who settled in the Finn Valley. The British Garrison survived until the 20th century and played a pivotal role in the history of Counties Donegal, Tyrone and Derry in the intervening centuries, including during the Siege of Derry in 1689 and the 1798 Rising as a local writer, James Porter testified. After the Partition of Ireland in 1921 Lifford became a vital market town as it was situated on the Border with Strabane and had one of the primary cross-border check points. Today Lifford is home to the Seat of Power Visitor's Centre which is situated in the old Court House while Cavanacor House is just a few kilometres away at Ballinadrait. |
Is é Leifear an oifigiúl Contae bealach í Dún na nGall agus tá sé lár an contae riarthach, mar aon le na Comhairle Contae Dún na nGall, fiontar bórd na contae agus inneall canachas oifig. Mar gheall ar an bealach thig Manghus Ó Domhnaill, ceannais do an tIarthar de Dún na nGall a thug an caisleáin san 16ú haois. I rith an fáschoill de Cúige Uladh thug Sasain, Leifear agus ansin bunaith saighdiéirí garastún chuin ná cuireadóir á choinneal sabaíl a chur a chonaí in Gleann na Finne. Bhí ná garastún Sasanach ansin go dtí an 20ú haois agus thugann siad suas a lán de an stair í ná contaí Dún na nGall, Doire agus Tir Eoghain idir na aois, mar aon le an siege í Doire sa bliain 1689 agus sa Ardú í 1798 tá scríobhfear áitiuil James Porter abalta fianaise a thabhairt. Ina dhiadh an Rann de Eireann sa bliain 1921 thosaigh Leifear suas beogan faiche mhargaidh mar bhí sé idir dhá chuid talaimh le Strabane agus bhí pointí seicéadach ag dul ar reidh. Inniú í Leifear tá suíochán de cumhacht cuairteoir isteach san sean Teach Cúirte. Tá an Cavanacor House thart fá dhá ciliméadar ó ag Baile an Droichid.© |