carrickfergus

Carrickfergus Castle the finest best preserved Norman castle in Ireland, dominates the town. John de Courcy, first Earl of Ulster, built the castle in the late 12th century, and for five centuries thereafter it was the seat of English power in the North. After serving as a prison in the 18th century, the castle was used as a magazine and armoury until 1928. Today life-like models depict stirring events in its 800-year history.

De Courcy also built the parish church of St. Nicholas, much restored since his time but with Norman arches still in the aisle.

There is good angling at the harbour. Dedicated sea anglers may want to engage a boatman for some offshore fishing in Belfast Lough, noted for cod up to 20lbs and big conger eels. In fact, the waters along the rocky coast curving round from Carrickfergus along the cliffs of Islandmagee, to Larne and the Maiden rocks, are home to a huge variety of fish.

By the shore a little beyond the north end of Carrickfergus promenade, at Boneybefore, a blue plaque marks the site of the home of the parents of Andrew Jackson, the fiery 7th US president.