Carrickfergus Castle

A seaside castle built by the Normans in 1177, one of Ireland’s best-preserved medieval castles.

Carrickfergus Castle was begun in 1177 by the Norman knight John de Courcy. Standing on a rocky outcrop on the north shore of Belfast Lough, it endured sieges over more than 800 years and served as a military fortress until 1928. The keep, curtain walls and gun batteries are well preserved, and you can climb the walls for views over the bay. Admission is about £6. The castle is about 18 km from Belfast, roughly 25 minutes by train to Carrickfergus station, and easy to combine with The Gobbins cliff path.

Opening hours

approx. 09:30–17:00 (shorter in winter)

Norman castles · Medieval

Nearby sights

Ulster Folk and Transport Museum
Parliament Buildings, Stormont
HMS Caroline
The Gobbins Cliff Path
Titanic Belfast
SS Nomadic
Belfast Castle & Cave Hill
Cathedral Quarter & St Anne's Cathedral

Places to eat nearby

OX
The Morning Star
Mourne Seafood Bar
Maggie Mays (Botanic Avenue)
Morton's Ballycastle
Tartine at The Distillers Arms