Carrickfergus Castle Ireland

For more than 800 years, Carrickfergus Castle has been an imposing monument on the Northern Ireland landscape whether approached by land, sea or air. The castle played an important military role until 1928 and remains one of the best-preserved medieval structures in Ireland.

The castle has been besieged in turn by the French, Irish, Scots, and English. Carrickfergus was built by an Anglo-Norman knight, John de Courcy, in 1177. He used the castle as his headquarters after conquering eastern Ulster and ruled as a petty king until 1204, when he was ousted by another Norman adventurer, Hugh de Lacy.

King John laid siege in 1210 and held full control of the castle until his death in 1216. It remained in English hands and served as the main supply port for Crown forces during that period. King William of Orange and his army landed at the castle on 14th June 1690 en route to meet King James at the Battle of the Boyne.

In 1760, after fierce fighting in Carrickfergus, the castle was surrendered to French invaders led by François Thurot. They looted the castle and town before fleeing, only to be caught by the Royal Navy shortly after.

The castle has been rebuilt three times and still stands proudly today, retaining six of the original 22 cannons that once lined its sea-facing walls. It has since been used as an armoury and garrison during World War I, and as an air-raid shelter during World War II. Ownership eventually passed from the British Army to the local government of Northern Ireland, where it is now maintained as a historical site.

Prince William of Wales was made the Baron of Carrickfergus on his wedding day, 29th April 2011. The title today is ceremonial and no longer carries a connection to the castle.