Where is Carrickfergus Castle?

Carrickfergus Castle is in Northern Ireland, United Kingdom (postcode BT38 7BG).

How do I get to Carrickfergus Castle?

The nearest railway station is Carrickfergus, about 0.5 km away. Drivers can use postcode BT38 7BG.

When was Carrickfergus Castle built?

Built or established in 1177. Designed by John de Courcy.

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.

Castles · Northern Ireland

Carrickfergus Castle

Also known as: Caisleán Charraig Fhearghais

In or near Helen's Bay.

♿ Wheelchair: limited★ 4.5 · 6,283 Google reviews£

Carrickfergus Castle is a castle in the United Kingdom.

Carrickfergus Castle, castles in Northern Ireland — 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

Getting there & planning your visit

To visit Carrickfergus Castle, the nearest railway station is Carrickfergus, located 0.5 km away. The postcode for sat-nav is BT38 7BG. Accessibility is limited for wheelchair users.

Directions on Google Maps →

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
Established: 1177
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

Other places nearby

Nearby

The Keep of Carrickfergus Castle - geograph.org.uk - 3950590

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Battlefields & battle sites · Northern Ireland

Battle of Carrickfergus

Battle of Carrickfergus in Northern Ireland, United Kingdom.

Free🐕

William of Orange (King Billy) at Carrickfergus - geograph.org.uk - 5891412

📷 3

Memorials & monuments · Northern Ireland

King William III Monument

King William III Monument — a memorial in northern-ireland, United Kingdom.

Free🐕

📷 5

Natural landmarks · Northern Ireland

Carrickfergus

Carrickfergus in Northern Ireland, United Kingdom.

Free🐕↗ northsouthministerialcouncil.org

Carrickfergus Castle from the Albert-Edward Pier - geograph.org.uk - 3950556

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Natural landmarks · Northern Ireland

Carrickfergus Lifeboat Station

Carrickfergus Lifeboat Station in Northern Ireland, United Kingdom.

Free🐕

Church spire, Carrickfergus - geograph.org.uk - 2368940

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Public art & sculpture · Northern Ireland

arts

arts — a public art in northern-ireland, United Kingdom.

Free🐕

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Galleries · Northern Ireland

Lauryn James

Lauryn James — a gallery in northern-ireland, United Kingdom.

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Where to eat & stay near Carrickfergus Castle

Places to stay

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Caravan parks · Northern Ireland

Jordanstown Loughshore Caravan Park

Jordanstown Loughshore Caravan Park — a caravan park in northern ireland.

↗ antrimandnewtownabbey.gov.uk

Glen Cottages, Cultra (October 2019) - geograph.org.uk - 6286708

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Campsites · Northern Ireland

Lorne Estate

Lorne Estate — a campsite in northern ireland.

↗ discoverlorne.org.uk

Tutsan berries, Crawfordsburn (6) - geograph.org.uk - 3071831

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Campsites · Northern Ireland

Crawfordsburn Scout Centre

Crawfordsburn Scout Centre — a campsite in northern ireland.

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Hostels · Northern Ireland

Parochial house

Parochial house — a hostel in northern ireland.

Hillhead, Ballycarry - geograph.org.uk - 1823234

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Hostels · Northern Ireland

Drumgart B&B

Drumgart B&B — a hostel in northern ireland.

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Hotels · Northern Ireland

The Pink Cottage

The Pink Cottage — a hotel in northern ireland.

↗ pinkcottage.co.uk