BENCHMARKS continued
Many a pub-quiz has been won or lost on the question - 'What is the county town of Donegal?' Some plump for Donegal Town or Letterkenny; or Buncrana, Ballyshannon or Bundoran; and all of them are wrong. The correct answer is Lifford, a compact little hamlet in east central Donegal on the west bank of the river Foyle. Maps from the 18th century show a County House, Court House, Gaol, Lunatic Asylum, Dispensary and an Infirmary. Today practically all of those original buildings are gone although the relatively new and modern Council Headquarters is located on the site of the County House; while the Hospital is located on the site of the Infirmary. It appears that the only original survivor is the Court House with its interesting Lion and Unicorn plaque high up above the front doorway where this benchmark is located.
Below: The 'mark, while just above it some modern graffitist makes an unnecessary contribution.
Above: The Court House, with the 'mark to the right side of the doorway at bottom.
Above: Looking towards north Donegal with the 'mark on the front of the church just to the right of the door. In the middle distance, Benchmarker's metal chariot stands by.
