27 Carrickfergus Castle Facts: Read More About The Iconic Irish Fort

Carrickfergus Castle is a very beautiful example of medieval Norman architecture.

Even if you are not one for the beauty of architecture, this castle in Northern Ireland is sure to amuse you through the many years of historical significance that it holds. The ragged castle was used as an air-raid shelter during the Second World War and as a prison for the majority of the centuries before it.

Castle Carrickfergus consists of an inner ward, outer ward, and middle ward. These parts of the castle were all built during different parts of its history. The castle now takes up the entire rock on which it is situated and comprises the town center as well.

Keep reading for more facts!

Facts About Carrickfergus Castle

The Carrickfergus Castle is one of the most well-preserved medieval castles of Northern Ireland. The castle played important roles as a garrison and air-raid shelter during the First and Second World Wars respectively. Built in the 12th century and revamped over the next few centuries, this beautiful castle is adorned with the ruins of war and numerous captures.

• Carrickfergus Castle is located in Northern Ireland, on the northern shore of Belfast Lough.
• It is situated in the Antrim county of the Carrickfergus town and is one of the first places to visit when in Northern Ireland.
• This well-preserved castle was built on a crag or a rock promontory and forms a walled town that thrived for many centuries.
• The stone structure of the castle remained unchanged even after several captures by the Scots, English, French, and others.
• Carrickfergus Castle is built on a rock, which was originally named after a legendary king.
• Legend says that around the year 530, a king of the northeastern part of Ulster named King Fergus of Dal Riata contracted a rare disease and was told that the cure was to be found near this rock.
• The king set out for the rock with his men, but unfortunately, the ship sank in a crash with the very rock that was supposed to save the king.
• This crag was then named Carrickfergus.
• It was not until the early 12th century that visions of the building of the Carrickfergus Castle began to come to others.
• It was a petty lord named John de Courcy who set out to conquer parts of eastern Ulster in an attempt to realize a prophecy.
• Since the army of Ulster was weak, John de Courcy was able to conquer most of the land in the span of a few weeks.
• Hence, this Norman adventurer then set out to the task of building a castle that would house him and his army.
• The innermost part of the castle, known as the inner ward, was built by John de Courcy and was a rather primitive example of Norman architecture.
• The exact timeline around which the building of the castle was completed is not known, however, it is assumed that it was finished sometime around 1177-1195.
• The castle grew over the next few centuries as newer people started conquering it and rebuilding more walls which would eventually encapsulate the entire rock.
• It is located near the Marine Highway.

Carrickfergus Castle's History

Like all other castles that have been around for such a long time, even Carrickfergus Castle is dense with many stories. Some of these stories and legends are lost now but some that remain to date are worth knowing.

• The building of the original Carrickfergus Castle was completed around the end of the 12th century.
• This castle in Northern Ireland came into being mainly because an Anglo-Norman adventurer John de Courcy was bored of his life in a Dublin Castle and wanted to break the monotony in his life.
• The result was that he ended up operating as a petty king of Ulster and built this beautiful castle, which was to become of national importance around the First and Second World Wars.
• Carrickfergus Castle initially only had an inner ward, which was small and appropriate considering the power of John de Courcy and the size of his empire.
• In de Courcy's time, the ground floor of the great castle had no windows and was used for things such as water supply.
• The second floor was comprised of a large room that was used for courtly meetings.
• The top floor was reserved for the living arrangements of the lord of the castle.
• Eventually, the castle was conquered by other people, which raised the need for installing better structures for both security and living space.
• The middle ward, which did not withstand the renovations made later on, was built in the year 1215.
• The building of the middle ward was the start of the consumption of the entire rock within the premises of the castle itself.
• With the increase in its size, more people began to be recruited to work in the castle, and newer wooden houses began to come to life around the castle itself.
• The outer ward was built in the year 1230 and was the last remarkable renovation effort made in order to make Carrickfergus Castle more practical according to the needs of the time.

Less Known Facts About Carrickfergus Castle

There are some facts about Carrickfergus Castle that are not common knowledge. Although castles are better when they maintain a mysterious stance, we're sure these small facts won't hurt anyone.

• Even the original castle of the late 12th century had a great hall, which states the importance of grand court meetings.
• The east tower of the castle is thought to have had a chapel on its first floor.
• The castle was conquered by King John in the year 1210.
• It was King John who took up the building of the middle ward.
• The third phase of the castle began when it was captured by another Norman adventurer named Hugh de Lacy.
• It is said that he must have captured the castle around 1226 to 1242.
• The square tower was a part of the middle ward-related renovations that were made in the year 1215.
• Carrickfergus Castle also happens to be the first place where King William III set foot in Ireland!
• This medieval castle also has a history with French invaders.
• It was in the year 1760 that the castle was captured by the French and looted.

Carrickfergus Castle's Significance

Like other medieval castles, even the Carrickfergus Castle has an ancient story of love and betrayal and there have been speculations of a spirit that has been haunting the premises for centuries.

• Being one of the best-preserved medieval structures in Ireland, this castle attracts many tourists and historians who want to study the ruins.
• While self-guided tours are most common in the area, guided tours are often arranged by the Carrickfergus Historical Society.
• People who are interested in understanding the castle and its many changes throughout the centuries should definitely consider a guided tour so that none of the details are missed out on.
• Carrickfergus Castle was used to house prisoners and as a garrison for several years, and especially during the Napoleonic Wars of 1797.
• Today the National Monument is maintained by the Northern Ireland Environment Agency.