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Town in County Antrim, Northern Ireland
Photo: Stewart, CC BY-SA 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Carrickfergus is a town 12 miles northeast of Belfast, historically in County Antrim, with a population in 2021 of 28,000. Its main attraction is the sturdy 12th-century Norman castle.
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The best-preserved Norman castle in Ireland, built in 1177 when the site was almost surrounded by water. It was besieged and captured several times, including by French privateers in 1760. (They only wanted provisions not possession, and left as soon as the winds were favourable; the Royal Navy destroyed them off Galloway.) The castle remained in military use until 1928. Victorian and other additions were then taken away to restore the Norman appearance.
Display of local history.
Replica of the thatched cottage home of the parents of US President Andrew Jackson (1767-1845), the one on the US$20 bill. They emigrated to Carolina, where Andrew's father was killed in a logging accident three weeks before the birth. A small museum also commemorates the US Rangers, who trained here in 1942 before combat in Europe.
This marina-side bistro is one of the best eating places in town.
Reliable flame grill.
Well-run mid-range chain hotel on harbourside. No air con.
Trad pub with rooms in town centre.
Pleasant guest house.
See Belfast for long-distance travel from Great Britain and the Republic of Ireland.
Read in the guideThe town is walkable, but you want a car to explore Islandmagee and the Antrim glens.
Read in the guideChoose an airport to see hotels, stations, taxi ranks and car rental desks around it.
Belfast · International · BFS
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