It had therefore an electorate composed of both freeholders and householders, and in 1602 its boundaries were defined by another charter, 44 Eliz. It received another charter from Edward II in 1326 and two from Elizabeth I. The Cave Hill Country Park which covers several kilometres of land between Carrickfergus and Whitehead is ideal for walking.Carrickfergus was reputed to have received its original charter from King John, who built a castle there. There are a range of walks that can be taken from Carrickfergus including the Coast Road to Larne, the Cockspur walk (a circular walk around Carrickfergus) and Caen Point along Belfast Lough. The rope bridge was first built in 1755 and has since been rebuilt a number of times.
Carrick a Rede Rope BridgeĬarrick-a-Rede rope bridge is a small suspension bridge connecting two cliffs. From the 1920s until 1971 the barracks were a major centre for infantry training, which was relocated to Ballykinler Camp near Lisburn. There has been an army presence in Carrickfergus since 1797. Carrickfergus BarracksĬarrikfergus Barracks are located nearby the castle and are home to an Army Reserve Unit and a Police Reserve Unit. By 1790 there were major road improvements in Carrickfergus, with the population at around 2,000 people by 1831. The Belfast–Carrickfergus turnpike road was built in 1755 and it is still possible to follow this route today. It has three streets radiating outwards from the castle walls: North, East and South. The harbour area known as The Basin is an example of where this trade was carried out.Īn old map of Carrickfergus from 1610 shows that the town had developed considerably. The 15th century was a time when Carrickfergus became an important port with links to Scotland, Flanders and Bristol. The charter also allowed for a town wall to be built so that “the good, sound and profitable inhabitants” could live in safety. It has a beautiful decorated front door and the original windows, one of which is still intact.Ĭarrickfergus was granted its first Charter of Incorporation in 1487 by King Henry VII, granting the people of Carrickfergus the right to hold a weekly market and two annual fairs. A house that was built on Market Street around 1530 contained the market for Carrickfergus and was surrounded by open ground from which stall holders could sell their wares and goods.
#Map of carrickfergus castle windows#
It is a two-story building with a basement and attic bays, a fireplace in each room, dormer windows and an unusual hipped slate roof. This was originally build in 1760 and is one of the oldest buildings in Northern Ireland.
Some of the old buildings in the town are very interesting, such as an old house on Springfield Road. Carrickfergus is also home to the Carrickfergus Arts & Crafts festival every July. There are various events held at the castle throughout the year including a fireworks night. There is an admission fee for adults, students and children 17 & under.Ĭarrikfergus Castle is owned by Carrickfergus Borough Council. Visiting Carrickfergues CastleĬarrickfergus Castle is open from the end of March until the end of February each year. There are a few other ruins that can be seen around the town including The Peel tower. There are five towers on top of the rock including a square keep or great tower build towards the end of John de Courcy’s period as landowner (the others were built by Hugh de Lacy), which was partially destroyed when King Edward Bruce invaded Ulster in 1315. It has been described as one of the best-preserved medieval castles in Ireland, despite being sacked and burned by the Scots in 1315. It is one of only a handful of Norman stone castles in the whole of Ireland, making it very unusual because most were built using different methods. By this time Gaelic had become the primary language spoken there by many people at that time, despite the Norman invasion of Ireland in 1169 and introduction of English to Ireland.Ĭarrickfergus Castle sits on top of a volcanic plug and is made of local limestone. The last Anglo-Norman Lord of Ulster, Hugh de Lacy “The Wolf”, was granted Carrickfergus after John de Courcy’s death by King Henry III of England on 9 November 1237. De Courcy lived in the castle until he died in 1219. The first settlement developed around the castle, but this was later to be called Ballygowan.
Carrickfergus Castleĭe Courcy built Carrickfergus Castle in the centre of town, starting in 1177. King John gave De Courcy control over land covering an area that roughly corresponds to counties Antrim and Down in modern times when he created the country of Ulster for him around 1200. The castle at Carrickfergus was built on a rocky promontory by John de Courcy in 1177 and overlooks Belfast Lough and the North Channel. The name of the town derives from the Irish language “An Carraig Fhearghais” meaning “The Rock of Fergus”.
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