CastleXPlorer

The Carrickfergus Castle is a medieval castle located in the town of Carrickfergus in County Antrim, Northern Ireland. The castle was built in 1177 by John de Courcy as his headquarters. In the official English records was the castle first mentioned in 1210 when it was captured by King John of England. The Carrckfergus Castle became an administrative centre commanded by the constables who carried out several rebuildings and alterations over the following centuries.

Carrickfergus Castle, Ireland

In 1760 the castle was captured by the French invaders under leadership of Thurot. Before they left the French resacked the castle which in 1797 became a prison and was heavily defended during the Napoleonic Wars (1799 - 1815). In the 19th century the Carrickfergus Castle served as a magazine and armoury. From the outbreak of the World War I to 1928 it was used as a garrison. Afterwards the castle passed to the government which restored and opened it to the public.