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Carrickfergus Castle, Carrickfergus

4.3
#1 of 24 in Things to do in Carrickfergus
Must see · Castle · Tourist Spot
Carrickfergus Castle (from the Irish Carraig Ḟergus or "cairn of Fergus", the name "Fergus" meaning "strong man") is a Norman castle in Northern Ireland, situated in the town of Carrickfergus in County Antrim, on the northern shore of Belfast Lough. Besieged in turn by the Scottish, native Irish, English and French, the castle played an important military role until 1928 and remains one of the best preserved medieval structures in Northern Ireland. It was strategically useful, with 3/4 of the castle perimeter surrounded by water (although in modern times only 1/3 is surrounded by water due to land reclamation). Today it is maintained by the Northern Ireland Environment Agency as a state care historic monument, at grid ref: J4143 8725.
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Carrickfergus Castle reviews

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TripAdvisor traveler rating 4.5
896 reviews
Google
4.4
TripAdvisor
  • By H7681OIgaryw
    I took my two daughters today on the 1 and half hour tour of the castle and would highly recommend it to anyone and the two tour guides Warren and John who took us around both was very knowledgeable....  more »
  • By Bannsider1987
    We decided to take a weekend trip to Carrickfergus, I'm so glad we did. Stayed in Walters place which is absolutely gorgeous. It is walking distance to Carrickfergus Castle which is a must!! Tour...  more »
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Google
  • By Angeline Craig
    Spent 2 hours here and just loved it. John, the tour guide, was very knowledgeable and I really enjoyed it. Such a shame the roof on the keep was being replaced which meant no access. History buffs will love it as did I. Fantastic place
  • By Daniel Crothers
    Hey, what can I say, it's our magnificent castle! Carrickfergus castle is definitely one of the best preserved castles in all of Ireland and definitely one of our most treasured landmarks! If you haven't visited then you seriously need to add it to your bucket list ;)
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Hidden gems in Carrickfergus

Knockagh Monument ©
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Knockagh Monument
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Marine Gardens ©
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Bashfordsland Wood and Oakfield Glen
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Bashfordsland Wood and Oakfield Glen
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Flame! The Gasworks Museum of Ireland ©
Specialty Museum
Flame! The Gasworks Museum of Ireland
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Duration: 2 hours

Side trips from Carrickfergus

Causeway Coastal Route ©
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Causeway Coastal Route
Ballintoy
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Giant's Causeway ©
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Bushmills
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Ulster Folk Museum ©
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Holywood
4.6
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Belfast Zoo ©
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Newtownabbey
3.4
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Popular things to do in Carrickfergus

St. Nicholas Church
Religious Site
St. Nicholas Church
4.5
Duration: 2 hours
Carrickfergus Museum & Civic Centre ©
Specialty Museum
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Carrickfergus Marina ©
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Andrew Jackson Centre ©
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Museums in Carrickfergus

U.S. Rangers Centre
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U.S. Rangers Centre
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Duration: 2 hours
Harron Framing & Designs
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Harron Framing & Designs
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Swift Gallery
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Swift Gallery
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Golf in Carrickfergus

Carrickfergus Golf Club ©
Golf Course
Carrickfergus Golf Club
4.3
Duration: 2 hours
Greenisland Golf Club ©
Golf Course
Greenisland Golf Club
4.1
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Whitehead Driving Range
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Whitehead Driving Range
1.0
Duration: 2 hours

Nearby attractions in Carrickfergus

Carrickfergus Library
Library
Carrickfergus Library
4.8
Duration: 2 hours

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12 days in Northern Ireland & Ireland BY A USER FROM BRAZIL Belfast · Westport · Dingle 18 days in Northern Ireland BY A USER FROM CANADA Belfast · Bushmills · Enniskillen 15 days in Northern Ireland, Letterkenny & Glencolmcille BY A USER FROM CANADA Belfast · Enniskillen · Derry 20 days in Northern Ireland BY A USER FROM UNITED STATES Belfast · Ballycastle · Derry 1 day in Carrickfergus BY A USER FROM UNITED KINGDOM Coast Rd · Carrickfergus Castle · Steam Train Rides 3 days in Carrickfergus BY A USER FROM UNITED KINGDOM Marine Gardens · Carrickfergus Castle · Flame! The Gasworks Museum of Ireland