carrickfergus castle history

In April 1778, during the American Revolutionary War, John Paul Jones commanding the American ship Ranger, attempted to capture a Royal Navy sloop-of-war HMS Drake, which was moored at Carrickfergus. It is the largest Norman Castle in Northern Ireland. In 1760 it was captured by a French force. Carrickfergus Castle History For more than 800 years, Carrickfergus Castle has been an imposing monument on the Northern Ireland landscape whether approached by land, sea or air. The castle garrison formed a guard of honour as the townspeople applauded his arrival. The most notable ship designed by Rodgers and built in 1893 is the Result, a Topsail Schooner which now resides in the Ulster Folk and Transport Museum in Cultra. When the wounded man was discovered, with his dying words he told that another soldier, Timothy Lavery had done the deed, because Lavery looked like Rainey and in the darkness and confusion, he had mistaken one man for the other. They were taken by Edward Bruce (Robert the Bruce’s brother) by siege in 1316 when the garrison finally gave up after being reduced to eating leather. Chichester rode out to meet them, at the head of just five companies of foot and one company of horse. At the moment of his execution he swore he would haunt the castle forever and his ghostly form has often been seen at his favourite place, near the deep, dark well in the basement. ... History. Surrounded by sea, the keep of the castle is a four-storey tower, 90 ft high, with a second-storey entrance. In legend, Carrickfergus claims roots back to the late 5th and early 6th centuries CE, and its alleged namesake King Fergus Mór mac Eirc, an Irish king of Dál Riata. Of course the battlements at the top were used as the most fantastic lookout platform and to attack any who dared to approach with malice in mind. The castle seen over 800 years of military occupation, the castle was besieged in turn by the Scots, Irish, English and French and it continued to play a central part in a military role until 1928, today it is maintained by the Northern Ireland Environment Agency. The First Battalions of the elite US Army Rangers were founded, activated and based in Sunnylands Camp, Carrickfergus for their initial training on 19th of June 1942 under the command of Major William Darby. Despite St Nicholas’ own doubts, it is clear that the church was affiliated with Woodburn. In the 1800s, the castle became a military prison and then an armory. During a heavy storm, it is said that Fergus’s ship was wrecked on a volcanic dyke by the lough shore, which became loosely known as “Carraig Fhearghais” – the Rock of Fergus – providing the area with a new name. The Carrickfergus Gas Company was formed in 1854 and quickly acquired premises for the Gasworks in the Irish Quarter. He extended the mill eastwards in 1870, doubling its size, and again in around 1900. Similarly, United Irishmen founder Henry Joy McCracken was captured in 1798 in the outskirts of the town, while trying to escape to America during the Irish Rebellion. As a historical walled town, Carrickfergus originally occupied an area of approximately 100,000 square metres, which now comprises the bulk of the town centre. What say you? In September 1648, a large section of Munro’s men betrayed him, and so the castle was delivered to Monck, who had Munro arrested and sent to the Tower of London, where he remained for some five years. Carrickfergus Castle, Marine Highway, Carrickfergus, BT38 7BG. From its strategic position on a rocky promontory, the castle commanded Belfast Lough, and the land approaches into the walled town that developed beneath its shadows. It is recorded in the Masonic Grand Lodge records that the warrant and jewels of Carrick’s Lodge 270 were confiscated by Thurot, who was himself a freemason. Carrickfergus Castle is a Norman castle in Northern Ireland, situated in the town of Carrickfergus in County Antrim, on the northern shore of Belfast Lough. The entrance was reached by a wooden stair on the next floor and leads into the earliest guardroom, which has windows so small that a man could not get through. They were however unable to take the castle, and so began a lengthy and bitter siege. He eventually regained his Earldom in 1227, despite his attack on the town, when King Henry III allowed him to return. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel up to 24 hours before your tour starts for a full refund. One of the four corner towers still partially survives, built into the back of the Town Hall. This is more than likely the true origin of the name “Carrickfergus”. Carrickfergus far predates the Northern Irish capital of Belfast. If you spot any mistakes or irregularities, please do contact us or leave a message on Facebook. In about 1560 alterations were made to the two round gate towers for the new fangled artillery and after that the next stories come from the turbulent 1600s. After the great war ended, Carrickfergus Castle was transferred from the War Department to the Ministry of Finance in 1928 so it could become a protected historical … More info. The castle surrendered in September 1316. Castle Dobbs 706 Carrickfergus, Northern Ireland. Carrickfergus was raided and burned by the Scots in 1386 and again in 1402. Carrickfergus Castle is perfectly and statistically situated on the north shore of Belfast Lough in the picturesque historical town of Carrickfergus, County Antrim. With Dan Jones, Madeleine McAllister, Gillian Kenny, Conor Marren. The town was first referred to as “Cragfergus” or “Carrigfergus” by the time written works and maps began to be produced, and later “Kairrigfergus”, “Kragfergus”, “Kragfargus” or “Carraigfergus”, although the Irish-derived “Carraigfergus” has now taken prominence. A documented case of anti-aircraft batteries seeing combat action is that of the battery gun on Neills Lane in Greenisland, which opened fire on a Luftwaffe aircraft as it flew up Belfast Lough during the Belfast Blitz in 1941. Although his endeavour was cut short on the orders of Elizabeth I, he brought with him several people of local importance such as John Dalway, who would go on to serve as Carrickfergus mayor twice and later establish a “cattle empire” in the area. The well was quite familiar to pilgrims and would undoubtedly have been connected to monastic activity in the area during the 10th and 11th centuries, about which very little is known. A local story recalls that Andrew Jackson was in fact born in Boneybefore and smuggled into America under his mother’s dress, therefore making his Presidency illegitimate – however, no evidence exists to authenticate this tale. The huge extensions and additions to the castle, which de Lacy began, were finally completed in 1250. Brief Description. A memorial archway exists in Prospect (on Woodburn Road) to honour the Belgian troops who trained in the area dring the war. This continued at least for the first part of the 1400s. References This page was last changed on 18 June 2018, at 08:01. He founded the Franciscan Friary in 1232, which stood where the modern Town Hall and Carrickfergus Library now stand. Under John’s authority, the castle was further fortified by adding an exterior curtain wall – creating the middle ward of the castle – on the landward side, a task overseen by one of John’s appointed constables De Serlane. Also open to the public for fun days out, the impressive monument has canons from the 17th and 19th centuries on display, while the keep houses historical and other displays. Ironically, de Courcy’s siege failed, as the defences that he himself had built were simply too strong. The mill persevered through the introduction of mass manufacture of synthetic fibres and spun wool cloth and mohair until about 2002, when Ambler’s ceased operations. Visitors to the castle can avail of a self-guided tour of the walls or, on occasion, guided tours can be arranged by the Carrickfergus Historical Society. From 1797, the castle was used as a prison and was heavily guarded during the Napoleonic Wars, to protect against attack by the French. It was at this time being used as a base for expeditions against the Scots for much of the mid to late 1500s. He did unfortunately come to this conclusion through mistaking Fergus Mór mac Eirc with the fictional King Fergus I, and so dismissed the accepted story. There are also remnants of earlier layouts. MacDonnell’s losses were comparatively few. A shaft gave access to a well below and a mural stair led down to the vaulted storage cellar. James arrived around four miles outside Carrickfergus on the agreed date of the 4th of November 1597, accompanied by some 1300 troops and 500 musketeers. ***History**** Carrickfergus was built in 1177 as headquarters for John de Courcy. As it became clear that a full-scale air attack on Belfast was taking place, residents took cover in the air-raid shelters, the only time they are known to have been used. Dan Jones explores the history of Carrickfergus Castle in Co Antrim, one of the most ancient castles in Northern Ireland and a stronghold key to understanding the tempestuous relationship between Britain and Ireland. The circular towers were reduced to half their original height and each modified into their current semi-circular shape. The reports are certainly viable, as Sunnylands Camp was home to the commando training ground for the newly formed US Army Rangers. A WeeTaste of Belfast History Tour of its Historic Pubs, Shops and Scenery. The present building was erected by De Courci about the year 1178. He captured Carrickfergus Castle, holding the town for the Scots, before moving on to capture Belfast. Carrickfergus Castle is a great place to visit and a well restored Norman castle, set in a town with significant historical attractions. Bored with the life in Dublin castle, he decided to take an expedition North. Because of its strategic position on a rocky spur above the harbour, Carrickfergus Castle, a perfectly preserved relic of the Norman period, has played a large part in Irish history. It had a number of buildings, including the great hall. It was in existence hundreds of years before the future capital city, was larger and more strategically and economically important than Belfast, and even comprised its own county. At first the Scots faltered, being forced from hill to hill, but spotting a flaw in Chichester’s charging formations they eventually overcame the English troops, even after a small reserve force arrived from Carrickfergus to prevent a complete massacre. The Causeway Coast & Glens Heritage Trust welcome any donations. He had been told there was a prophecy, that the conqueror of Ulster would one day appear as a white knight from a foreign land who would be riding a white horse and carry a shield with birds of prey on it. The castle seen over 800 years of military occupation, the castle was besieged in turn by the Scots, Irish, English and French and it continued to play a central part in a military role until 1928, today it is maintained by the Northern Ireland Environment Agency. The establishment of St Nicholas’ Church followed in around 1182. de Courcy is also credited with the founding of the St Mary’s Premonstratensian Abbey in Woodburn (Woodburne Abbey), to which the parish of St Nicholas was granted. $568.51 per adult. The account of his capture appears in the Book of Howth, and verifies de Courcy’s reputation as an incredibly powerful and god-fearing warrior: Sir Hugh de Lacy was commanded to do what he might to apprehend and take Sir John de Courcy, and so devised and conferred with certain of Sir John’s own men, how this might be done; and they said it were not possible to take him, since he lived ever in his armour, unless it were a Good Friday and they told that his custom was that on that day he would wear no shield, harness nor weapon, but would be in the church, kneeling at his prayers, after he had gone about the church five times bare-footed. It represents over 800 years of military might. Bruce was defeated and killed by the forces of Sir John de Bermingham in 1318, after which the castle and town came back under the control of the crown (and at this point King Edward II). All subsequent Earls would remain absent from the town and rule from afar, but the castle remained both under the control of the crown and the principle administrative centre in the north of Ireland. Copyright © 2014-2020 Carrickfergus History, parents of future US President Andrew Jackson, lived at their homestead north-east of the town, A Short History of Royal Arch Masonry in the Towne of Carrickfergus. Directed by Maurice Sweeney. The castle played an important military role until 1928 and remains one of the best-preserved medieval structures in Ireland. An attempt to replenish supplies from the sea by Sir Thomas de Mandeville in Easter 1316, resulted in his defeat and death. More info. Not wanting to sail too close to the formidable castle, he lured Drake away from its mooring and challenged her to a fight some days later on 13th April in the North Channel, where he dealt a crushing defeat to the Royal Navy ship, capturing it and its crew. John is thought to be the only English or British monarch to have stayed at the castle for any notable length of time, staying in the castle for ten days in July 1210. The garrison put up admirable defence, but were forced to surrender after running out of ammunition. A western suburb became known as the Irish Quarter and the eastern suburb, founded around 1665 by Scottish fishermen, became known as Scotch Quarter. It had therefore an electorate composed of … He was captured and imprisoned in the Tower of London on the orders of King John, and his lands and titles were revoked. Although by 1400 most of eastern Ulster was firmly under the control of the O’Neills, a mutually advantageous arrangement existed between the crown and the Irish clans to keep the town and county of Carrickfergus under the effective control of the English. His small force was vastly superior to the Ulstermen and most of the Ulster coast was conquered in a few weeks. $545.91 per adult. After the O’Neills arrived in Carrickfergus, William de Burgh’s family seized his land, joined with the Irish and assumed Irish names and identities. The second floor was one large room with a fireplace where the lord of the castle would hold court and the top floor was his private accommodation. The 17th-century house stands in ruins. Carrickfergus Castle was used as the administrative center and principal residential building for the Crown after the earldom of Ulster fell down in 1333. In 1861, Paul Rodgers became foreman of the shipyard, and designed the ship Dorothea Wright, amongst others. Besieged in turn by the Scots, Irish, English and French, the castle played an important military role until 1928 and remains one of the best preserved medieval structures in Ireland. Most notably in 1647, George Monck, 1st Duke of Albemarle laid siege to the castle. He swore to her that if she married him he would give up his drinking and gambling. It was built in 1177 by John de Courcy. Chichester’s head was allegedly cut off and used as a football by the MacDonnell troops. On the 2nd of April 1912 the residents of Carrickfergus turned out in their thousands to watch as the RMS Titanic made its first ever journey up the lough from its construction dock in Belfast. A WeeTaste of Belfast History Tour of its Historic Pubs, Shops and Scenery. de Courcy returned in July 1205 with a force of Norse soldiers and ships on loan from his brother-in-law Rögnvaldr Guðrøðarson, King of Mann. The ruins of the house still remain at the Bellahill site and Jackson descendants allegedly farmed in the area until well into the 20th century. They were quickly returned by the Royal Navy’s Captain Elliot, after Thurot’s fleet was defeated just off the Isle of Man. ... We recommend booking Carrickfergus Castle tours ahead of time to secure your spot. However, J Bell wrote in A Conjecture as to the Origin of the Name of Carrickfergus that the name is more likely to have come from the Irish Carraig na Fairge, meaning “Rock of the Sea”. His armour is still displayed in the Tower of London. During the replacement of the roof, an archaealogical survey of the tower was carried out which revealed a stepped doorway or passage hidden within the wall of the spiral staircase, and uncovered the bricked-up windows of the now lost 4th floor of the keep. Notably to adapt the walls and similar movements told that Fergus left around! 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