Carrickfergus Castle is one of the best preserved castles in Northern Ireland and has withstood sieges and defended against invaders for more than 800 years. The imposing landmark dominates the shoreline in Lough Belfast, the inlet surrounding the city, making it impossible to ignore for anyone trying to attack Belfast.
The first castle at Carrickfergus was built in 1177 by John de Courcy, a Norman knight who became a mercenary for the King of Leinster and conquered large swathes of Ireland. De Courcy set up Carrickfergus as his headquarters and ruled until the English King John sent an army against him and laid siege to Carrickfergus.
The castle remained the main centre of power in Ireland for the English kings, and reinforcements sent to Ireland landed at Carrickfergus. It last fell in 1760 when French soldiers captured and looted it.
Carrickfergus Castle was used during the American War of Independence, the Napoleonic Wars and World War One, then in 1928 it was handed over to be preserved as a monument.
Visitors can see well-preserved battlements and cannons with a great view of the coastline up and down Lough Belfast. Inside, you can see the thick walls with arrow slits and inner wards with internal walls. The massive four-storey keep was where de Courcy lived and climbed a narrow stone spiral staircase each day. Buildings such as kitchens and stores were removed over the centuries but they can be imagined with the help of the extensive network of storyboards around the castle.
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