5/21/2023 0 Comments CarrickfergusThe core of the castle was built in 1177 by John de Courcy, after he conquered the east of Ulster and ruled as a petty king until 1204, when he was ousted by another Norman adventurer, Hugh de Lacy. The fourth storey, a high, brightly lit room with windows in all four walls, a fireplace and single latrine, was the principal chamber. A shaft gave access to a well below and a mural stair led down to the vaulted storage cellar. Its entry chamber, originally one large, poorly lit room with a double latrine and no fireplace, served as the public room. Surrounded by sea, the keep of the castle is a four-storey tower, 90 ft high, with a second-storey entrance. Also open to the public for fun days out, the impressive monument has canons from the 17 th and 19 th centuries on display, while the keep houses historical and other displays. ![]() 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. Proudly ranking as one of the best preserved medieval structures in Ireland, it is a popular destination for tourists worldwide wishing to delve deeper into its historical content. 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 striking Norman architecture of Carrickfergus Castle can be found on the shore of Belfast Lough.
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