castles historical carrickfergus

A landmark dominating land and sea which has for centuries been the gateway to Northern Ireland....

Carrickfergus Castle the finest best preserved Norman castle in Ireland, dominates the town. John de Courcy, first Earl of Ulster, built the castle in the late 12th century, and for five centuries thereafter it was the seat of English power in the North. After serving as a prison in the 18th century, the castle was used as a magazine and armoury until 1928. Today life-like models depict stirring events in its 800-year history.

De Courcy also built the parish church of St. Nicholas,...