Carrickfergus
| Carrickfergus | |
| County Antrim | |
|---|---|
 The eastern side of Carrickfergus Castle | |
| Location | |
| Location: | 54°42’58"N, 5°48’32"W |
| Data | |
| Population: | 27,201 (2001) |
| Post town: | Carrickfergus |
| Postcode: | BT38 |
| Dialling code: | 028 |
| Local Government | |
| Council: | Carrickfergus Borough Council |
Carrickfergus is a large town in County Antrim, standing on the north shore of Belfast Lough. It is County Antrim's oldest town and takes its name from Fergus Mór mac Eirc, the 6th century king of Dál Riata.
Carrickfergus Castle in the town dates from the 12th century. It is one of the best-preserved Norman castles in Ireland, built around 1180 by John de Courcy. The church of St. Nicholas also dates from the late 12th century.
As an urban settlement, Carrickfergus predates Belfast and was for a lengthy period both larger and more prominent than the nearby city. Belfast Lough itself was called 'Carrickfergus Bay' well into the 17th century. Carrickfergus and the surrounding area was, for a time, administered separately from the rest of County Antrim.
Churches
- Church of Ireland:
- St. Nicholas' Church, Lancasterian Street
- Holy Trinity Church, Prospect Road
- St Colman's Church, Larne Road
- Presbyterian:
- First Carrickfergus Presbyterian Church, North Street
- Joymount Presbyterian Church, Robinsons Row
- Woodlands Presbyterian Church, Burleigh Drive
- Woodburn Presbyterian church, New Line
- Downshire Presbyterian Church, Victoria Road
- Loughmourne Presbyterian Church, Carneal Road
- Free Presbyterian:
- Free Presbyterian Church, Copperwood Crescent
- Reformed Presbyterian:
- Carrickfergus Reformed Presbyterian Fellowship, Oakfield Drive
- Christchurch, Carrickfergus, Oakfield Drive
- Baptist:
- Carrickfergus Baptist Church, Northlands
- Methodist:
- Carrickfergus Methodist Church, Albert Road
- Carrickfergus Elim Pentecostal Church, Northlands
- Carrickfergus Community Church, Sunnylands Avenue
- Church Of The Nazarene, Oakfield Drive
- Gateway Church, West Street
- Gospel Halls:
- Carrickfergus Gospel Hall, Scotch Quarter
- Sandringham Gospel Hall, Sandringham Heights
- Roman Catholic:
- Church of St Nicholas (RC), Minorca Place