#Map of carrickfergus castle software

With the advances in warfare technology and weaponry Carrickfergus adapted, artillery had to be housed, so gun ports and embrasures for cannons were created. With military improvements added through the centuries. Through time Carrickfergus was updated to maintain its military strength in Ulster. The Castle survived the Nine Years War, even when English control of Ulster was in jeopardy Carrickfergus endured, Supplying the forces of the Crown through Carrickfergus Port, this is where the famous Battle of Carrickfergus occurred. Hugh De Lacy died before he could finish his improvements of Carrickfergus Castle the work was continued and completed by King Henry III of England.Ĭarrickfergus Castle remained the Crown’s main administrative centre in Ulster and was also the Crown’s main residence in Ulster even after the Earldom of Ulster collapsed. In 1217 a new curtain wall was built to protect the castle from all sides and angles, much of which survives today along with its fascinating crossbow loops that are situated at the basement level of the castle.Ĭarrickfergus has some of the finest features of Norman defensive architecture in existence with murder holes, vaulting and a huge portcullis. He felt that the Norman Lords in Ireland had become too powerful and appointed constables to oversee his Irish interests. The first written record of Carrickfergus Castle occurs when King John of England laid siege to the Castle in 1210, He took control of the Castles large garrison. As with most Norman strongholds a walled town developed outside the main castle walls. He was deposed by De Lacy in 1204 but tried to win back his lands in 1205 with the help of Norse warriors, he lost and as punishment for his crimes against the Crown, he was imprisoned for the rest of his days, by King John.Ĭarrickfergus dominates with its commanding presence over Carrickfergus Bay (Belfast Lough) with its huge defensive polygonal curtain walls and massive eastern gate.ĭe Courcy’s design included many of the internal buildings. John De Courcy also built Dundrum Castle in County Down. He designed and built it to be his seat of power to oversee the lands of East Ulster he had conquered and he ruled until 1204 as Petty King, when he was ousted by the famous Norman, Hugh De Lacy (Trim Castle). Its long and extraordinary military history has fascinated for as long as it has been in existence.įrom a Military stand point Carrickfergus is strategically positioned so that it would have been easily defended, at the time of construction and during its life it was surrounded by water on 75% of the perimeter.Ĭarrickfergus was built by the powerful Anglo Norman Knights John De Courcy in 1177, after he conquered the last King of Ulaid (an ancient Irish kingdom in Ulster), he waged this conquest without the permission of King Henry II and installed himself as Petty King. It is the largest Norman Castle in Northern Ireland. Its high walls seem to call you in and will you to learn more about the past that shaped and preserved this monumentally epic Castle.Ĭarrickfergus Castle is perfectly and statistically situated on the north shore of Belfast Lough in the picturesque historical town of Carrickfergus, County Antrim. This dominant and impressive structure tells the epic tales of Ireland and its turbulent past. Although now a living museum telling its life story it is still a living and breathing fortress.

Soaked in history and legend this epic and dominant fortress is a must see for anyone visiting Ireland. One of Ireland’s oldest and most spectacular Castles, Carrickfergus has withstood the ravages of time seeing eras of war and violent unrest since its inception after the Norman Conquest of Ireland. Limited disability access The History of CarrickfergusĬarrickfergus is a Medieval Castle so soaked in the Military History of Ireland that the walls seem to be filled with ghostly whispers of battles and bloodshed. Contact InformationĬarrickfergus Castle, Marine Highway, Carrickfergus, Co. Last admission 30 minutes before closing. Groups must pre-book What are the Tours at Carrickfergus October to Easter – Monday to Sunday: 1000 – 1600 Pricing to go in to Carrickfergus? The timestamp is only as accurate as the clock in the camera, and it may be completely wrong.© Photo by Stewart from Wikicommons Where is Carrickfergus Castle?Įaster to September – Monday to Sunday: 1000 – 1800. If the file has been modified from its original state, some details such as the timestamp may not fully reflect those of the original file.

#Map of carrickfergus castle software

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