carrick castle

The town of Carrickfergus has been in existence since Medieval times and was the only English speaking area at a time when the Gaelic Irish language prevailed throughout the island. The castle itself dates back to 1180 when the Anglo- Norman knight John De Courcey invaded Eastern Ulster.

It has been steeped in history, paying witness to the landing of William of Orange, serving as a prison for the United Irishmen of 1798 and serving as a location for a battle between the founding fathers of the American Navy and the British during the war of Independence. More recently it was used as a garrison and ordnance store during the First World War and an air raid shelter during the Second World War.

The Castle was transferred to the government for preservation and is open to the public for guided tours.