Castles · Northern Ireland
Carrickfergus Castle
Also known as: Caisleán Charraig Fhearghais
Carrickfergus Castle is a castle in the United Kingdom.
Wikimedia Commons contributors — see linked file page for photographer and licence licence
Plan your visit
- Typical visit
- 1.5 h–3 h
- Nearest railway station
- Carrickfergus · 0.5 km
- Family-friendly
- Limited wheelchair access
About
Carrickfergus Castle is a castle in the United Kingdom — fortified architecture from the medieval, Tudor, or Victorian-revival period. Designed by John de Courcy. Built in the Norman architecture style. Owned by John de Courcy. Coordinates: 54.7133°, -5.8064°.
Photo gallery
From the Wikipedia article
Carrickfergus Castle (from the Irish Carraig Ḟergus or "cairn of Fergus", the name "Fergus" meaning "strong man") is a Norman castle in Northern Ireland, situated in the town of Carrickfergus in County Antrim, on the northern shore of Belfast Lough. Besieged in turn by the Scottish, rebel Irish, English, and French, the castle played an important military role until 1928 and remains one of the best preserved medieval structures in Northern Ireland. It was strategically useful, with 3/4 of the castle perimeter surrounded by water (although in modern times only 1/3 of it is surrounded by water due to land reclamation). Today it is maintained by the Department for Communities as a state care historic monument, at grid ref: J4143 8725.
Excerpt from Wikipedia under CC BY-SA 4.0. See the source article linked in Sources below.
Background
History
Carrickfergus was built by John de Courcy in 1177 as his headquarters, after he conquered eastern Ulster and ruled as a petty king until 1204, when he was ousted by another Norman adventurer, Hugh de Lacy. Initially de Courcy built the inner ward, a small bailey at the end of the promontory with a high polygonal curtain wall and east gate. It had several buildings, including the great hall. From its strategic position on a rocky promontory, originally almost surrounded by sea, the castle commanded Carrickfergus Bay (later known as Belfast Lough), and the land approaches into the walled town that developed beneath its shadow.
Sourced from Wikipedia under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Coordinates
- 54.7133, -5.8064
- District
- Mid and East Antrim
- Postcode
- BT38 7BG
- Parliamentary constituency
- East Antrim
- Nearest railway station
- Carrickfergus — 0.5 km
- Official site
- www.carrickfergus.org
Sources
- wikidata: Q2368960 (CC0)
- wikipedia: Carrickfergus Castle (CC BY-SA 4.0)
- commons: Carrickfergus Castle, reflections at sunset - geograph.org.uk - 1098306.jpg (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Featured in these 2 guides
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Frequently asked questions
- Where is Carrickfergus Castle?
- Carrickfergus Castle is in Northern Ireland, United Kingdom (postcode BT38 7BG).
- Who owns Carrickfergus Castle?
- Carrickfergus Castle is owned by John de Courcy.
- Does Carrickfergus Castle charge admission?
- Carrickfergus Castle typically charges admission. Check the official site for current ticket prices and opening hours.
- How do I get to Carrickfergus Castle?
- The nearest railway station is Carrickfergus, about 0.5 km away. Drivers can navigate to postcode BT38 7BG.