Carrickfergus Castle

Carrickfergus Castle is one of Ireland's oldest castles. Building began around the year 1180 by John DeCourcy. The castle sits beside the sea on the edge of Belfast Lough. This castle has a portcullis, a 4 story, 90 ft. high keep, a rampart walk, a square tower and a banquet hall. It also has a stone spiral staircase from the ground to the roof and has it's own well of almost 40 ft. deep. The dungeon once held a prisoner, Con O'Neill, who escaped after his wife sent him a large cheese, in which a rope was placed inside. King John slept in the castle when he came to Ireland in 1210 and King William of Orange landed there in 1690 on his way to the "Battle of the Boyne." The castle was used as a prison in the 18th century and as an air raid shelter for the townsfolk during WW2. The castle has been restored to an excellent condition and is open to the public for touring.