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Co Antrim
INTRODUCTION
The
medieval town of Carrickfergus is around nine miles north of Belfast city on
the Co Antrim coast road. A medium sized town with a population of approximately
33,000. There is a 18-hole golf coarse, a small patch of sandy beach
(north of the town), harbour, and a marina stocked heavily with yachts and other
small boats. The biggest attraction in the town is the Anglo Norman Castle situated
a stone throw from the town's main shopping area and right beside the harbour.
The castle is built on a basalt rock which protrudes about 300 yards out into
the sea.
History:
The
town takes it's name from the basalt rock: "The rock of Fergus", off which
Fergus, who founded the Royal House of Scotland, was drowned according to legend.
John de Courcy or his kinsman (Hugh de lacy) built the castle. King John
slept in the castle on his visit to Ireland in 1210. Edward Bruce took
possession of it after a years siege but his victory was short lived.
On the ancient quay under it's western wall, King William landed on his way
to the battle of the Boyne, a traditional spot on where he first stepped on
Irish soil is pointed out. A statue of him was erected in 1990 close to
the front of the castle. The French captured the town in 1760 but later
their forces were defeated off the Isle of Man, and 18 years later, Paul Jones,
the American sailor commanding the "Ranger", defeated the the English warship
"Drake" in Belfast Lough.
There are some traces of the old town walls on the west and north, and a restored
north gate still spans the roadway. St Nicholas' church, dating from the
12th to the 18th centuries, with an early 14th century chancel, is a dignified
and noble structure. The old Co Antrim courthouse (1613) was the scene
of the trial, in 1797, of William Orr, the United Irishman, who was afterwards
hanged. An interesting ruin some 3 miles Northeast, off the coast road
to Larne, is Kilroot church, where Dean Swift began his clerical life.
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Last updated: October 28, 2005