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Home , Antrim Artillery, Battle of Antrim, De Lacy, Earl of Ulster, Henry Sidney, John de Courcy

Reconstruction of as developed by Hugh

Highland Scots attack the King John Reconstruction of castle It's not just the town. It is reported that King John of fears de increasingly Carrickfergus is 'totally burnt King Henry II Courcy is building his own Now it's the turn of the powerful native by our enemies'. But the real kingdom in and ambitious de Lacy to anger his Irish that threaten problem for the Crown lies Franciscian Friary circa 1560 encourages another Anglo- king. John brings an army to Edward the Bruce Crest the garrison at closer to home in . The Norman knight, Hugh de Lacy, Ulster to wrest control of the Carrickfergus. An branch of the to overthrow him. De Courcy is earldom from de Lacy, army of Highland powerful O'Neill clan now defeated and de Lacy, now besieging his former favourite The Scots of the Glens Scots arrives to control the area to the south of The Franciscan friary, which has based in Carrickfergus, is made in the castle. De Lacy is defeated burn Carrickfergus to burn the town. the town. since been converted to a store A Scottish naval expedition plunders the first of Ulster. and expelled from Ulster. Reconstruction of the expansion of Carrickfergus Castle the ground, although house for arms, is marked on a between the time of and Hugh de Lacy the castle is unscathed. the town, setting it on fire. map of this year as a 'palace'. Castle under construction

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De Courcy chooses Carrickfergus as De Lacy builds a Franciscan It is believed Carrickfergus Back in favour with the English The town is burned by the forces his base and begins to build a castle friary on a site in the area A Scottish army led by Edward the Bruce, , the King Henry II appoints de Courcy becomes a borough around this monarchy, Hugh de Lacy becomes of Gaelic chieftain Niall O'Neill, on the great rock which juts out into where Carrickfergus Town brother of Scottish king Robert the , is as Judiciar (Chief Official) of time. The middle ward of the castle Earl of Ulster again. He begins to demonstrating how the power of Lough. Now he can control Hall now stands. At his Bruce, besieges the castle. Many of murdered. Weakened access to the lough, guard the coastal Ireland, even though the is constructed. In the early years of construct the outer ward of the castle. Ulster's Gaelic chieftains see his invasion by famine and the Anglo- is waning. centre of government the century a bank of earth topped death, around ten years route from north and send later, he is buried there. as a chance to destroy the Anglo- outbreaks of plague, ships to communicate with his allies is far away in . with a wooden fence is built Normans and join his cause. After a bitter the Anglo-Norman's in England and the Isle of Man (ruled Now unofficially around the town. A ditch in front year-long siege, the castle surrenders. It hold on power in by his father-in-law, King Godfred). known as the also deters invaders. remains Edward the Bruce's base until Ulster is loosening Prince of Ulster, his death three years later. and the increasingly de Courcy mints De Courcy also builds St Nicholas’ powerful Gaelic his own coins in Church and Woodburn Abbey. chieftains are trying Carrickfergus. The Anglo-Norman knight John Carrickfergus will become the military to fill the vacuum. de Courcy leads an army of 22 and religious centre of Ulster. Siege engine From now on the area knights and 300 foot soldiers Woodburn Abbey no longer exists but is governed by agents from Dublin to Ulster, aiming to of the Crown. you can see four large carved stones De Courcy Minted Coin gain control of the province from the abbey at St Nicholas' Medieval Banquet circa 1220 The Friary from its Gaelic rulers. Church. Goods unloading at the harbour Friar Anglo Norman Knight Scottish highland soldier Map of Carrickfergus circa 1560 (BL Cotton Augustus I ii 42)

King Edward attacking the Castle The Irish at war Probably the most important figure in the development of Carrickfergus after John de Courcy, Englishman Sir Arthur Chichester is also the most controversial. Replacing his brother as Governor of SCOTCH QUARTER the town in 1599, he was responsible not just for improving the By the late 1600s, the town's defences and restoring St Nicholas' but for settling many Scots and English in the town and area. eastern suburbs of the town were occupied by In 1600, during the Nine Years War, he was ordered by Lord Deputy The powerful Sir Hugh O'Neill of many Scots fishermen, The garrison at Carrickfergus, Mountjoy to lay waste to Gaelic territories within 20 miles of Tyrone instigates a rebellion in Ulster living in single storey not having been paid for three Carrickfergus. Chichester went about his task with great brutality, Seafront stone walls are built that rapidly gathers support from his months, seize the town and boasting that he killed men, women and children to achieve his aims. thatched cottages near castle. The mutiny is put down to improve the defence of the fellow Gaelic chieftains. Carrickfergus to their boats. The area town. The roads known today is the main stronghold of the Crown in by the Earl of Arran. Nine as West Street, Cheston Street, Ulster. The rebellion spreads through Having finally been given the resources the townspeople became known as mutineers are hung; the rest Castle Street and High Street Ireland and the conflict, known as the have been demanding for years to improve Carrickfergus's Scotch Quarter. transported to the West Indies. are visible on maps of the time. Nine Years War, lasts until 1603. defences, Chichester orders the completion of the wall so it encircles the town. It takes seven years to complete. About Dunluce Castle, Seat of MacDonnell clan Sir Brian McPhelim O’Neill Burning of the town half of the wall can still be seen today. The Chichester Memorial, St. Nicholas Church Sir Arthur Chichester 1568 1573 1575 1579- 1594 1597 1599 1605 1608 1610 1614 1637 1641 1642 1648- 1666 1600 1649

The town is given a charter by Queen Sir Brian McPhelim O’Neill of the Chichester begins building his mansion, Joymount House, near , probably replacing an Clandeboye O'Neills, still the The town changes Sir Arthur Chichester becomes the site of the old Franciscan friary which he completes in 1618. St Nicholas' Church is rebuilt after a Carrickfergus, the port in earlier one. Carrickfergus becomes dominant Irish clan in this part of The fearsome Sorley Boy MacDonnell Sir John Chichester is Sir John's brother, Sir Arthur In the 1641 Rebellion, the native Irish Major General Munro lands an army hands several times as Lord Deputy of Ireland. The house, which would be demolished in 1768, was described long period of decay. This is largely Ulster, sells its customs rights to an important centre of government Ulster, burns Carrickfergus. This is in captures the town and castle in revenge for appointed Governor of Chichester, is appointed rise against the Crown in a conflict of 3,000 Scottish troops at Scottish and English as a ‘prince’s palace’. the church we see today. Belfast. It will prove a costly mistake and the place where the armies of the a massacre of his followers on Rathlin Carrickfergus. After Governor of Carrickfergus that spreads through Ulster and Carrickfergus to protect the settlers troops battle for control. response to Queen Elizabeth's grant as Belfast increasingly becomes a IRISH Crown are mustered. To the north, the Island. Instigated by Walter Devereux, First arranging a treaty with and takes command of the Joymount Palace - mansion built by Sir Arthur Chichester 1610 eventually the whole of Ireland, from attack, becoming Commander- of much of their land to Thomas competitor for trade. QUARTER MacDonnell clan of Dunluce Castle is Smith as part of his failed attempt to Earl of Essex, the victims of the massacre the MacDonnell clan, he town. After John de Courcy, becoming part of the English Civil in-Chief of English and Scottish becoming an increasing threat. plant English settlers in the area. included hundreds of women and children. decides to attack them no other figure will be more War. Carrickfergus becomes a safe troops in Ulster. The chaplains in his developed instead. He is killed and important to the haven for Protestant settlers fleeing regiment hold the first presbytery outside the his head cut off and sent development of from the surrounding area. meeting in Ireland in the town, Map of Carrickfergus The same year the new Lord Deputy of western walls in 1567 by Robert Ireland, Sir Henry Sidney, attempts to to Sir Hugh O'Neill. Carrickfergus than the probably at St Nicholas' Church. It is Lythe (Trinity bolster the defences of the town he finds controversial Chichester. the beginning of Irish after a 1678 College, Dublin, MS 1209 (26)) greatly 'impoverished' since his last visit. Presbyterianism. decree banning Four small bastions are constructed at the Catholics from Note the town corners of the town circuit. streets and various towns with forts. types of houses Walter Devereux, the first Earl of Essex Sir John Chichester

St Nicholas Church King William arriving in Carrickfergus French forces attack Carrickfergus Castle

John Paul Jones attacks the HMS Drake

The former Carrick Court House, now the current Town Hall The last public hanging at the County Gaol in Antrim Street 1844 Need an INDUSTRIAL The County Gaol in REVOLUTION image of Antrim Street closes. Like other important towns fishermans 106 prisoners - men, across Ireland, Carrickfergus women and children - saw the development of several The last witchcraft During the American Revolution, quay are marched in chains industries through the 19th trial in Ireland takes privateer John Paul Jones, skipper of around the coast to century. Several, like the place in Carrickfergus. the US ship the Ranger captures the Belfast, to be Joymount Bleach and Dye Works and James Taylor Flax Eight women are British warship, the Drake, in John Paul Jones incarcerated in the new Spinning at Barn Mills, were connected to Ulster's thriving Carrickfergus Bay. Jones, who will County of Antrim Gaol linen industry. The town's reputation as a leading centre for convicted of Samuel McSkimin, who wrote the The David Legg, the first King William bewitching a young become known as the 'father of the The County of Antrim Courthouse on Belfast's Crumlin the textile industry also flourished briefly in the second half statue, famous 'History of Carrickfergus', ship to be built in American navy', takes the Drake to and Gaol (now the Town Hall and Fisherman's Quay is built to Road. of the 20th century, with the arrival of Courtaulds and ICI. Carrickfergus girl and sentenced to dies and is buried in the Carrickfergus, is launched. the French port of Brest as his prize. Museum) is built. serve the local fishing fleet. a year in prison. churchyard of St Nicholas' Church. Henry Joy McCracken Antrim marching to Saint Nicholas’ French Soldiers Church for Divine Service, circa 1900

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General Frederick Schomberg

Original ‘History of Carrickfergus’ book The struggle between King King William himself The ghostly story of Button Cap William III and his father–in- lands here on June 14th In one of the most dramatic events in its history, Carrickfergus becomes embroiled in the Seven Years War (1756- William Orr, a member of the United Following the defeat of the United During the 1760s a soldier called The Belfast and Railway Salt mines are discovered at The Antrim Artillery, a law King James II for control 1690, bringing Richard Kane, a 1763) between France and England. French troops under Commodore Francois Thurot land at , two miles from Irishmen, is accused of administering Irishmen, their Northern leader, Robert Rainey, who was stationed opens its main line between the two Carrickfergus about 600 feet locally based volunteer of the English Crown comes thousands of extra Carrickfergus man Carrickfergus on February 21st 1760 before storming the castle. the oath of the organisation to a Henry Joy McCracken, is caught on at the castle, fell in love with a local towns, including stops at beneath the surface. Four years force, is formed. to Ireland. A Jacobite troops. He soon begins who fought for King soldier. The trial, held in the outskirts of the town trying to girl called Betsy Baird. She agreed to Carrickfergus and . later, a tramway is constructed Soldiers, initially garrison holds the town what will become one of William's troops in Advancing into Scotch Quarter, the French first engaged with the Carrickfergus garrison, the 62nd Regiment of Foot, Carrickfergus, attracts international escape to America and hung. Many from the Salt Mines to the based in the castle, and castle for the forces of the most important Ireland, is made marry him but didn't tell him she had at Joymount before storming the walls and breaking into the town. The garrison retreated back into the castle, attention and much criticism when of his comrades are imprisoned in Northern Counties Railway to later serve with James, though most of military campaigns in Irish Governor of Minorca. another admirer, the brother of his allowing the French to ransack Carrickfergus and set many of the prisoners in the gaol free. Orr is found guilty and condemned to the castle. transport the salt. In 1887 new history, winning the Battle Over the next 20 commanding officer. When the two distinction in the the population supports hang at Gallows Green. When the works are built to dissolve the of the Boyne on July 1st. years he greatly Boer War. One of William. United Irishmen rebel the following men met, Robert stabbed salt into brine, which is piped to When the Julian calendar enhances the island, With no cannon and little ammunition, the garrison was reduced to firing buttons taken from their uniforms. After SHIPBUILDING just 32 such year, the cry 'Remember Orr' rings out his rival to death. Clipperstown, where it is boiled was replaced by the reforming its legal desperate hand-to-hand fighting in which over 20 soldiers on both sides were killed, they were eventually forced to regiments in General Frederick Schomberg, King William's across the battlefields. Unfortunately, Timothy In the second half of the 19th century, a and the salt distributed Gregorian Calendar in 1752, eleven system, building surrender. Fortunately, the French troops offered generous terms for the 197 officers and men of the garrison, who the UK they military commander in Ireland, besieges the Lavery, another soldier who considerable shipbuilding industry developed in throughout Ireland. Salt is still days were added to the previous roads and were allowed to march out of the castle with their arms and colours and return to their barracks as prisoners of war. number a town, his heavy mortars inflicting terrible looked very like Robert, was Carrickfergus, helped by the demand for ships mined today in Carrickfergus. dates. Therefore, the Battle of the encouraging trade. The French spent six days in Carrickfergus gathering supplies. Soon afterwards, they were defeated in a battle with thousand damage. After seven days the garrison to export locally mined salt and other goods as Boyne is celebrated on July 12th. the British navy near the Isle of Man, in which Commodore Thurot was killed. mistaken for the murderer and men by commander, Charles McKarty Moore, convicted of the crime. As he was well as import coal. The most successful 1900. is forced to surrender. To the east of the being hung he vowed to haunt the shipbuilder was Paul Rodgers who built wooden North Gate, you can still see where repairs and then iron and steel ships. The most famous were made to the damage caused by the castle ever more. Nicknamed 'Button Cap' for his habit of wearing a ship built by his company was the Result, a mortar fire. topsail schooner, used against German button, a circular decoration, on his Victorian shipyards in Carrickfergus submarines in the First World War. The , 1798 soldier's cap, his ghost is said to appear by a deep well in the castle. Irish Salt Mines WWI guns unloading at Carrickfergus harbour WWI soldiers at the Castle

Did you know? US Rangers and Carrickfergus The BBC Proms in the Park is held in Carrickfergus for In the grounds of the Andrew Jackson Centre is a museum dedicated to the the first time ever in 2007. Staged before the Baron Carrickfergus is a Courtaulds Ltd opens a men of the First Battalion of the elite US Rangers, formed by volunteers from spectacular backdrop of Carrickfergus Castle it was title in the Peerage of the large man-made fibre various American regiments stationed in during the Second linked to simultaneous Proms in the Park events in . Its factory here. It has its own current holder, since its World War. Featuring documents, photographs and uniforms and other London, Glasgow, Swansea and the Tees Valley. power station which uses creation on 29 April 2011, material relating to this famous combat unit, it reflects the fact that they were coal brought by rail from is Prince William, Duke of based at Sunnylands Camp in Carrickfergus for their initial training and The old North Gate 19th Century Harbour. Originally Cambridge, who was Titanic induction. Modelled on the British Commandos, they were the first American Medal commemorating After 750 years of continuous founded in the early 1800s granted the title as a soldiers to see combat in Europe, fighting in Italy and North Africa. the opening of the new John Hilditch The people of the town gather in their military occupation, the longest of as a silk and textile personal gift, by Queen harbour establishes his thousands to cheer RMS Titanic as any castle in Ireland, Carrickfergus business, Courtaulds use Imperial Chemicals Industries (ICI) Carreras/Rothmans establish a Elizabeth II, on the day of Carrickfergus Harbour is improved successful yacht she sails up . The Castle is transferred by the War their Carrickfergus branch open a factory manufacturing man- factory manufacturing cigarettes his wedding to Catherine and a new pier extension greatly building firm in famous White Star liner anchors Department to the Ministry of to produce spun rayon fibre made fibres at Kilroot. The area is and tobacco products in Middleton. Famous s0chooner the Result was the last ship to be built in Carrick helps the local shipbuilding industry. the town. overnight just off the coast here Finance for preservation as an for the Irish linen industry. becoming an important centre for the Carrickfergus. The US Rangers in Carrickfergus before continuing to Southampton. ancient monument. textile industry. The Andrew Jackson Centre

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Carrickfergus Gasworks opens in The Carrickfergus and Larne Railway Paul Rodgers, the town's most The elite First Ranger Battalion is Irish Quarter West. Gas, created opens. Visitors from Scotland arriving renowned shipbuilder, formed by volunteers from various A statue of King William III, who by baking as opposed to burning During the Second World War, the The A2 Marine Highway is Gasworks Flame, one of only three at the Port of Larne now have easy launches his first ship, the American regiments stationed in landed here 300 years previously to coal, is supplied to fuel the street basement of Carrickfergus Castle constructed to relieve pressure on the preserved gasworks in Britain and access to the town. schooner Accrington Lass. Northern Ireland. It is based at begin the campaign that changed lamps of the area and to domestic keep is used as an air raid shelter. historic streets of the old town. It Ireland, is opened to the public as a Sunnylands Camp in Carrickfergus for modern Irish history, is unveiled in houses for cooking. The Gasworks connects the eastern part of visitor attraction. Housed in the training before heading for Europe the grounds of Carrickfergus Castle. Carrickfergus, as well as Whitehead original 1855 Gasworks building, it supplies the town until 1965. It and North Africa. There is a war and , to Belfast but boasts Western Europe’s largest set closes in 1987. memorial located at Joymount in Gas works separates the castle from the town. of retorts (in which the gas was Carrickfergus town centre made).

The Royal Wedding

Carrickfergus High Street Carrickfergus Castle and Harbour Town Hall, and ‘Big Lamp,’ Carrickfergus at the end of the 19th Century air raid shelters air raid QR shelters Code Photo taken of air raid shelters in Carrickfergus Castle during WWII The old Gasworks Colonel Bill Darby (El Darbo). Founder of the US Rangers

Carrickfergus promenade before the Marine Highway

Statue of King William III at Carrickfergus Castle