Carrickfergus  on Belfast Lough  is dominated by its castle, but like Derry~Londonderry it also retains its town walls which are also worth a visit.

The Castle  juts out into  the Lough on a rocky promontory now cut off from the town by the Marine Highway but originally linked to its defences.. It  was commenced soon after the Norman invasion of Ulster in 1177 and remained in military use until the 1920’s. It  protects a secure harbour and the adjacent  town and as, a key strategic location on the north east of Ulster, it has experienced many dramatic events since first constructed. 

Carrickfergus town from the castle as drawn in a map of 1560 and almost as it is today. Dobbins Inn conceals a tower house behind its current façade. I have imagined what this might look like if the battlements, window openings and roof pitch of the 1560’s remained on this building. I have also re-erected the 1560's market cross in the square. It would certainly help encourage tourists to cross the Marine Highway and explore this very historic town.

St Nicholas’ Church  as illustrated on a map of 1560 and as it is today. Work started on the building in 1182 soon after the Norman settlement of the area. The building has endured much change and destruction over the years but remains one of Ulster’s oldest churches still in use.

Carrickfergus Town Walls at Joymount. These were built between 1608 and 1615 and can still be traced for a significant part of their circuit. This is the best preserved stretch to the north west of the town near the location of the former great Elizabethan House of ‘Joymount’

  The North Gate  of the city walls. This was erected in 1608 and restored (Battlements and plaque added) in 1911