Location: Carrickfergus, Antrim County Map
Constructed: 1177 by John de Courcy
Tel. 028 9335 1273
Open: daily
Closed: Sunday am, 24- 26 Dec
Carrickfergus Castle (Irish Caisleán Charraig Fhearghais) is a Norman-style castle in Carrickfergus, Northern Ireland.
The castle stands not far from Carrickfergus town center on the north shore of Lough Belfast. In former times it was 3/4 surrounded by water. Carrickfergus train station is about a five-minute walk away. From there, Northern Ireland Railways services run west to Belfast and east to Whitehead and Larne.
The castle was built in 1177 by John de Courcy. After
conquering eastern Ulster that same year, he settled here and reigned
until 1204, when he was driven out by Hugh de Lacy. The building is
first mentioned in English records in 1210. At this point, King John
besieged the castle and eventually conquered it. He appointed security
guards to manage the facility and surrounding area. Although the title
of Earl of Ulster ceased to be bestowed after 1333, Carrickfergus Castle
remained the English king's main seat in Northern Ireland and an
important administrative centre. In the early stages of the Nine Years'
War, as English influence in the northern part of Ireland continued to
decline, English soldiers were resupplied through the port of
Carrickfergus. In 1597, the Battle of Carrickfergus took place in the
immediate vicinity of the castle.
In 1690 Friedrich von Schomberg
conquered the castle, so that Wilhelm III. was able to land here for the
first time on June 14, 1690. In 1760, French troops led by François
Thurot stormed the city, sacked the castle and then fled. A little
later, however, they were asked by the Royal Navy. The building has
served as a prison several times throughout its history, but was
officially used as such for the first time in 1797. Prisoners of war
were housed here during the coalition wars. After that, it served as an
arsenal for well over a century. During the First World War the facility
was used as a garrison. In addition, it served as a storage room for the
catering orderly. In 1928 the castle passed from the British Army to the
Government of Northern Ireland. During World War II it was used as an
air raid shelter. Today the castle is open to the public to visit.
John de Courcy built the complex as a moth on a crag.
It was surrounded by a high polygonal ring wall. A gate was embedded in
the eastern part of the wall. The castle consisted of several buildings,
including a knight's hall. It is believed that a room on the first floor
of the east tower served as a chapel. The Romanesque windows are still
there today. The star vault at the entrance, the murder hole and the
portcullis at the gatehouse were all commissioned by Hugh de Lacey, who
did not live to see their completion. In 1217 a sergeant named de
Serlane received £100 from Johann Ohneland to build a new ring wall to
make access to the castle over the crag more difficult and to ensure
defense at low tide. Most of this wall was demolished again in the 18th
century, but the seaward part has survived to this day. There is a
postern and the east tower. This has several loopholes for crossbowmen.
Several modifications were made in the 16th and 17th centuries to
improve the defences. For example, loopholes for cannons and gun ports
were installed.
The dining room has been renovated. Today there
is an exhibition with various medieval utensils.