The Norman Carrickfergus Castle has been perched overlooking Belfast Lough since 1177.
Arguably one of the most famous castles in Ireland, it features in several Irish folk songs. Oh, Ed Sheeran mentions the town in a tune, too!
The Normans built some fantastic castles in Northern Ireland, and Carrickfergus Castle is one of the most impressive, as you’ll discover below!
Some quick need-to-knows about Carrickfergus Castle
Although a visit to Carrickfergus Castle is fairly straightforward, there are a few need-to-knows that’ll make your visit that bit more enjoyable.
1. Location
I wish I was in Carrickfergus – the opening line to one of the more popular Irish songs. The castle is located, unsurprisingly enough, in Carrickfergus, a 15-minute drive from The Gobbins and 25 minutes from both Belfast Castle and Cavehill Country Park.
2. Opening hours
Carrickfergus Castle is open:
- Easter – September: 9:30am – 4:30pm
- October – Easter: 9:00am – 4pm
3. Ticket prices
Ticket prices for 2024 are:
- Adults: £6.00
- Children: £4.00
- Seniors/students: £4.50
4. Game of Thrones
I get emails every few weeks asking ‘Is Carrickfergus Castle in Game of Thrones?’ Nope, it wasn’t, however, it’s a short drive from some of the most popular Game of Thrones filming locations in Ireland, but it wasn’t used in the show.
Carrickfergus Castle history
John de Courcy built Carrickfergus Castle in the late 12th Century and held it until 1204 when he lost it in battle with Hugh de Lacy, who in turn lost it to King John in 1210.
The castle was protected from the sea by a polygonal curtain wall built to a great height, but since King John’s soldiers could scale the castle at low tide from the eastern side, another higher wall was built in 1217.
Battles, battles and more battles
A portcullis (a forbidding gate usually spiked and dropped to block a gateway) was also added in 1250.
The castle was held by the English until 1928, when it passed to the Local Government to be used as a historical site.
In the intervening centuries, it was attacked at various times by the French, locals and Scots. Notably, King William of Orange landed there on his way to the Battle of the Boyne in 1690.
During the Napoleonic wars, it was used as a prison, and WW1 saw it used as an armory and garrison, while it was an air-raid shelter during the Second World War.
The ghost
Of course, no Irish castle would be complete without a ghost, and Carrickfergus Castle has a tragic miscarriage of justice behind its haunting.
A love triangle between a solder called Robert Rainey, a girl, called Betsy Baird and the castle constable’s brother.
Robert Rainey attacked his rival and left him for dead, but the man was able to tell who attacked him.
Unfortunately, he gave the wrong name, and another soldier, Timothy Lavery, was charged with murder and hanged.
Before he was executed, he swore he would haunt the castle forever. It’s said his ghost is often to be seen in the basement, his favourite place.
The Carrickfergus Castle tour
Photos via Shutterstock
The castle is laid out to captivate children’s imagination. The scene is set from the outside with models looking out the windows or keeping guard.
Guided tours conducted by knowledgeable local guides are available to pre-book, or you can take your time and use the information boards to explore the castle at your leisure.
Murder most foul
The fun begins at the gateway, where you see the ‘murder hole’ in the ceiling.
Inhabitants and soldiers would pour boiling oil or scalding water, fire arrows, throw rocks or hot sand down on intruders.
The children can climb the cannon scattered around the castle and see what a medieval dining room looked like – the banqueting hall.
Craft Workshops
If you’re visiting during school holidays, there may be craft workshops in the Keep where the children can make a crown or a keyring.
Once they’re crowned, they can climb to the top of the castle to oversee their Kingdom. On a clear day, the views are wonderful.
3D Immersive experience
The best bit about the tour is the immersive D3 experience. Using an App, visitors can point it at a cannon and watch as it fires on a vessel out at sea.
In the Keep, you can point the app, and the bricks crumble away, revealing life during various periods of the castle’s history.
The final attraction is outside the castle. Walk along a wooden pier that’s no longer there as you see the transformation of the castle through the centuries.
Things to do nearby
One of the beauties of Carrickfergus Castle is that it’s a short spin away from many of the best things to do in Belfast.
Below, you’ll find a handful of things to see and do a stone’s throw from Carrickfergus:
- Woodburn Forest (10-minute drive): A reservoir catchment containing a descending chain of Victorian reservoirs and an ancient roadway
- Jordanstown Loughshore Park (10-minute drive): Finely positioned on the shores of Belfast Lough it’s a nice spot for a stroll
- The Gobbins Cliff Path (15-minute drive): Crossing high above the Irish Sea, this is a guided cliff walk like no other
- Belfast City (25-minute drive): There are endless places to visit in Belfast, from the Titanic Museum and Crumlin Road Gaol to the Cathedral Quarter Belfast and the brilliant Black Taxi Tours
Keith O’Hara has lived in Ireland for 35 years and has spent much of the last 13 creating what is now The Irish Road Trip guide. Over the years, the website has published thousands of meticulously researched Ireland travel guides, welcoming 40 million+ visitors along the way. In 2022, the Irish Road Trip team published the world’s largest collection of Irish Road Trip itineraries. Keith lives in Dublin with his dog Toby and finds writing in the 3rd person minus craic altogether.