Carrickfergus is located on the northern shore of the Belfast Lough in County Antrim, and is dominated by Carrickfergus Castle, a large medieval castle, built on the waters edge. The town of 32,668 (2005 census), is today part of the Belfast conurbation, being only 18 kilometres from Belfast city centre, and still retains its strong links with the past through its historic festivals, buildings and narrow medieval streets. The local economy, which once relied on the textile industry, is now based on sailing activities through the world class marina, tourism, and service industries supporting the local community.
Carrickfergus is the oldest town in County Antrim, and traces its history from 530 A.D. when King Fergus of Scotland drowned during a violent storm, leaving behind his name on the coastline, Krag Fergus, the Rock of Fergus, hence the name Carrickfergus!! Today, the Carrickfergus Castle, built 1177 by John de Courcy, conqueror of East Ulster, is one of Irelands best preserved medieval castles. It is also the most continuously garrisoned castle, having been used for 750 years, even through the First World War, and up until 1928!! The castle is a major tourist attraction and offers excellent interpretation tours and displays, to ensure your visit is worthwhile. Its annual Lughnasa Medieval Fayre, offers a good insight into the pageantry, foods, clothes and entertainment of the times, and is an exciting, colourful event!! The actual town can be enjoyed by walking its narrow medieval streets, admiring its centuries old city walls, and at all times being able to gaze at the spires of St Nicholas’ Church. The Church, built 1180, is also worth a visit as it is well maintained, with beautiful medieval architecture, an original stained glass window, and contains a unique crooked aisle!!
The town has several places of interest, such as the Flame, which is Carrickfergus’ Gasworks Museum, a complete Victorian coal gasworks, which shows you the fascinating early process and gives you an insight into the industrial past. Also while you are sight seeing, pay a visit to the Carrickfergus Museum, on Antrim Street, which displays the history of the town and its surrounding areas from the early days to the present. If you are out and about, make your way to Boneybefore, approximately 1 kilometre from town, where you can see Andrew Jackson’s cottage. Jackson became the 7th American President, after his parents emigrated from here to America in 1765. The cottage is a fully restored, thatched, Ulster-Scots farmhouse, built in the 1750’s, and has been completed with traditional furniture, open fireplace etc, to really let you see how people used to live!!
Carrickfergus is an interesting and friendly town, welcoming to visitors and well worth the time spent to enjoy the area, you could be one of the many that visit more than once!!
|