More about Carrickfergus

Carrickfergus (from the Irish: Carraig Fhearghais meaning "Rock of Fergus") is a large town in County Antrim, Northern Ireland. It had a population of 27,201 people in the 2001 Census. The town is the administrative centre for Carrickfergus Borough Council. It is Co. Antrim's oldest town and takes its name from Fergus Mór mac Eirc, the 6th century king of Dál Riata. The town is the subject of a classic Irish folk song entitled "Carrickfergus", which begins with the words, "I wish I was in Carrickfergus."

Carrickfergus stands on the north shore of Belfast Lough and is home to the 12th century Carrickfergus Castle, one of the best-preserved Norman castles in Ireland. It was built around 1180 by John de Courcy. The church of St. Nicholas also dates from the late 12th century. As an urban settlement, Carrickfergus predates Belfast and was for a lengthy period both larger and more prominent than the nearby city. Belfast Lough itself was called 'Carrickfergus Bay' well into the 17th century. Carrickfergus and the surrounding area was, for a time, treated as a separate county, although it is today part of County Antrim. The Battle of Carrickfergus, part of the Nine Years War, took place in and around the town in November 1597. It was fought between the crown forces of Queen Elizabeth I and the Scots clan of MacDonnell, and resulted in a defeat for the English.

Carrickfergus is classified by the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency as a Large Town (ie population between 18,000 and 75,000 people) and within Belfast Metropolitan Urban Area (BMUA). On Census day (29 April 2001) there were 27,201 people living in Carrickfergus. Of these: 23.2% were aged under 16 years and 15.9% were aged 60 and over 48.6% of the population were male and 51.4% were female 3.6% of people aged 16-74 were unemployed.

Carrickfergus Castle is a Norman castle in Northern Ireland, situated in the town of Carrickfergus in County Antrim, on the shore of Belfast Lough. Besieged in turn by the Scots, Irish, English and French, the castle played an important military role until 1928 and remains one of the best preserved medieval structures in the whole of Ireland. It was useful as 3/4 of the perimeter is covered by water. Today it is maintained by the Environment and Heritage Service as a State Care Historic Monument.

Carrickfergus Marina also known as 'Carrickfergus Waterfront' is situated on the north shore of Belfast Lough and provides two harbours for craft. Firstly, the harbour with its 12th Century Norman Castle. Secondly, the purpose built marina basin located only 250 metres west of the harbour opened in 1985. Both harbours embody rugged rubble stone breakwaters, which are first rate wave calming measures during rough seas, absorbing energy from the heavy swells. It provides 300 berths, is professionally supervised and offers individual access to water and electricity. Fuel services are at hand and the complex also provides lifting equipment. The Marina is well located in the hub of activity close to a modern complex accommodating restaurants, children's play facility, a multi screen cinema, convenient superstore, a sailing club and a bar/restaurant overlooking the marina.

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