Carrickfergus

Infobox UK place
official_name= Carrickfergus
irish_name= Carraig Fhearghais
map_type= Northern Ireland
latitude= 54.716
longitude= -5.803
population= 27,201 (2001 Census)
irish_grid_reference=
unitary_northern_ireland= Carrickfergus Borough
country= Northern Ireland
post_town= CARRICKFERGUS
postcode_area= BT
postcode_district= BT38
dial_code= (028 93)
constituency_westminster= East Antrim
lieutenancy_northern_ireland= County Antrim
belfast_distance= convert|11.4|mi|km|1
static_

static_image_caption=The eastern side of Carrickfergus Castle

Carrickfergus (derive|Irish|Carraig Fhearghais|Rock of Fergus) is a large town in County Antrim, Northern Ireland. It had a population of 27,201 people in the 2001 Census. The town is the administrative centre for Carrickfergus Borough Council. It is Co. Antrim's oldest town and takes its name from Fergus Mór mac Eirc, the 6th century king of Dál Riata.

The town is the subject of a classic Irish folk song entitled "Carrickfergus", which begins with the words, "I wish I was in Carrickfergus."

Carrickfergus is the township area for the neighbouring villages of Greenisland, Eden and Whitehead, County Antrim.

History

Carrickfergus stands on the north shore of Belfast Lough and is home to the 12th century Carrickfergus Castle, one of the best-preserved Norman castles in Ireland. It was 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, treated as a separate county, although it is today part of County Antrim.

The Battle of Carrickfergus, part of the Nine Years War, took place in and around the town in November 1597. It was fought between the crown forces of Queen Elizabeth I and the Scots clan of MacDonnell, and resulted in a defeat for the English.

In 1637 the town sold its customs rights - which ran from Groomsport in County Down up to Larne in County Antrim - to Belfast and this in part led to its decline in importance as the province of Ulster grew. Nevertheless, the decaying castle withstood several days of siege by the forces of William of Orange in 1689, before surrendering on 28 August; William himself subsequently landed at Carrickfergus on 14 June 1690. During the Seven Years' War, in February 1760, the whole town was briefly captured and held to ransom by French troops landed from Francois Thurot's naval squadron, after the defenders ran out of ammunition.

In April 1778 John Paul Jones attempted to capture a British Royal Navy sloop of war, "HMS Drake", moored at Carrickfergus; having failed, he returned a few days later and challenged "Drake" to a fight out in the North Channel which the Americans won decisively.

The town was formerly an important centre for the textile industry. It now is a centre for leisure sailing, and is home to Carrickfergus Marina and Carrickfergus Sailing Club. The town is part of the Greater Belfast conurbation, being convert|11.4|mi|km|1 from Belfast City Centre.

On 8 September 2007, Carrickfergus was the Northern Irish host for the Last Night at the Proms, featuring Alison Balsom, Alfie Boe, and Ulster conductor Kenneth Montgomery.

Demographics

Carrickfergus is classified by the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency (NISRA) [ [http://www.nisra.gov.uk/ NI Statistics and Research Agency website.] ] as a Large Town (ie population between 18,000 and 75,000 people) and within Belfast Metropolitan Urban Area (BMUA). On Census day (29 April 2001) there were 27,201 people living in Carrickfergus. Of these:
*23.2% were aged under 16 years and 15.9% were aged 60 and over
*48.6% of the population were male and 51.4% were female
*7.8% were from a Roman Catholic Community Background and 86.1% were from the Protestant and Christian Community backgrounds.
*3.6% of people aged 16-74 were unemployed.

For more details see: Northern Ireland Neighbourhood Information [ [http://www.ninis.nisra.gov.uk/ Northern Ireland Neighbourhood Information website.] ]

Notable Residents

*Andrew Jackson, 7th President of the United States, was born in 1767 in the predominantly Scots-Irish Waxhaws area on the border of North Carolina and South Carolina two years after his parents left Boneybefore, near Carrickfergus. A heritage centre in the village pays tribute to the legacy of 'Old Hickory', the People's President.
*Jonathan Swift, the poet and satirist lived in Kilroot, on the outskirts of the town, and wrote "A Tale of a Tub" there.
*William Orr, United Irishman was hanged in Carrickfergus on October 14, 1797 for his part in the failed rebellion.
*Louis MacNeice's family moved to the town when the poet was two years old (his father was appointed vicar of St Nicholas), and he left at the age of ten to attend boarding school in England. One of MacNeice's most well-known poems, "Carrickfergus" (1937), relates his ambiguous feelings about the town where he spent his early boyhood.
*"Neighbours" actress Jackie Woodburne was born in Carrickfergus in 1957.
*Robert Adrain, (1775-1843), mathematician, considered one of the best mathematical minds of his time, was born in Carrickferguscite book | title = Who Was Who in America, Historical Volume, 1607-1896 | publisher = Marquis Who's Who | date = 1967]
*Giselle Allen, the soprano currently resides in Carrickfergus and performed at The Last Night of the Proms when it took place in the town in 2007, singing the folk song "Carrickfergus".
*Crime novelist Adrian McKinty was born and grew up in Carrickfergus.
*Kristina Grimes, the runner up in the final of the third series of the British version of "The Apprentice" once lived in the town.
*Stuart Robinson host of Northern Ireland's Young Star Search and presenter on Belfast CityBeat.
*Citybeat 96.7FM Radio presenter Andy Pugh hails from Carrickfergus.
*Current WWE wrestler Dave Finlay was born and raised in the satellite village of Greenisland.
*The Ulster Grenadiers Flute Band [http://www.geocities.com/ulster_grenadiers/] also hail from the town and are renowned all over Northern Ireland and in Scotland.
*Daniel Cambridge VC and James Crichton VC were born in Carrickfergus
*Hugh McCarthy, the notable literary enthusiast mentioned Carrickfergus in his poem 'Town of Despair'.

Local Schools & Education

There are many primary and secondary schools in Carrickfergus.

* Acorn Primary School
*Carrickfergus Grammar School
* Carrickfergus Model Primary School
* Central Primary School
*Carrickfergus College
*Downshire School
* Eden Primary School
* Oakfield Primary School
* Sunnylands Primary School
* St.Nicholas Primary school
*Ulidia Integrated College
* Victoria Primary School
* Woodburn Primary School
* Woodlawn Primary School

Transport

Carrickfergus railway station opened on 1 October 1862. [cite web | title= Carrickfergus| work=Railscot - Irish Railways | url=http://www.railscot.co.uk/Ireland/Irish_railways.pdf | accessdate=2007-08-27] and continues to offer regular commuter services to Belfast and Larne.
* [http://www.translink.co.uk/ Translink Bus and Rail Website]

Local Churches

* [http://www.saintnicholas.org.uk/ St. Nicholas Church (COI)] , Lancasterian Street
* [http://www.fcp.org.uk/ First Carrickfergus Presbyterian Church] , North Street
* [http://www.christchurch.uk.com/ Christchurch, Carrickfergus] , Oakfield Drive
* [http://www.carrickfergusbaptist.com/ Carrickfergus Baptist Church] , Northlands
* [http://www.carrickelim.co.uk/ Carrickfergus Elim Pentecostal Church] , Northlands
* [http://www.carrickcommunitychurch.org/ Carrickfergus Community Church] , Sunnylands Avenue
* [http://www.irishmethodist.org/ Carrickfergus Methodist Church] , Albert Road
* [http://www.nazarene.org.uk/ Cliffordgay Memorial Church Of The Nazarene] , Regent Park
* [http://www.joymount.org/ Joymount Presbyterian Church] , Robinsons Row
* [http://www.gatewaypeople.co.uk/ Gateway Church] , West Street
* [http://www.holytrinitycarrick.org.uk/ Holy Trinity Church (COI)] , Prospect Road
* [http://www.carrickfergusrpf.org/ Carrickfergus Reformed Presbyterian Fellowship] , Oakfield Drive
* [http://www.freepres.org/church.asp?carrickfergus Free Presbyterian Church] , Copperwood Crescent
* [http://www.woodlandschurch.co.uk/ Woodlands Presbyterian Church] , Burleigh Drive
* [http://www.wbchurch.cjb.net/ Woodburn Presbyterian church] , New Line
* Downshire Presbyterian Church, Victoria Road
* Carrickfergus Gospel Hall, Scotch Quarter
* Sandringham Gospel Hall, Sandringham Heights
* St Colemans Church (COI), Larne Road
* Church of St Nicholas' (RC), Minorca Place

Local Sports Clubs and Facilities

*Carrickfergus Rugby Football Club
*Carrick Rangers F.C.
*Carrickfergus Sailing Club
*Carrickfergus Golf Club
*Carrickfergus Cricket Club
*Carrickfergus Knights American Football Club

Local Hotels & Accomodation

For those wishing to visit Carrickfergus, there are many lovely places to enjoy your stay.

* [http://www.clarioncarrick.com/ Clarion Hotel]
* [http://www.discovernorthernireland.com/Premier-Inn-Carrickfergus-P9433 Premier Inn]
* [http://www.dobbinsinnhotel.co.uk/ Dobbin's Inn Hotel]
* [http://www.coastroadhotel.co.uk/ Coast Road Hotel]
* [http://www.knockaghlodge.com/ Knockagh Lodge] (Hotel Opening 2008!)
* [http://www.parklandsfarmhouse.co.uk/ Parklands Farm House] B&B and Self-Catering
* [http://www.beechgrovefarm.co.uk/ Beech Grove Farm B&B]
* [http://www.thekeepguesthousecarrickfergus.co.uk/ The Keep Guest House]
* [http://www.discovernorthernireland.com/Woodbine-Farm-Carrickfergus-P3699 Woodbine Farm B&B]
* [http://www.discovernorthernireland.com/The-Stables-Greenisland-Carrickfergus-P7440 The Stables B&B]
* [http://www.discovernorthernireland.com/Whiteford-Lodge-Greenisland-Carrickfergus-P4166 Whiteford Lodge B&B]
* [http://www.seascapecountryhouse.co.uk/ Seascape Country House]
* [http://www.drumgart.com/ Drumgart B&B]
* [http://www.discovernorthernireland.com/Leafield-House-Ballycarry-Carrickfergus-P4484 Leafield House B&B]
* [http://www.loughsidebandb.com/ Loughside B&B]
* [http://www.discovernorthernireland.com/Langsgarden-Carrickfergus-P3635 Langsgarden B&B]
* [http://www.barnmillscarrickfergus.co.uk/ Barnmills Apartment] Self-Catering
* [http://www.hillcrestireland.co.uk/ Hillcrest Cottage] B&B and Self-Catering
* [http://www.discovernorthernireland.com/Blackhead-Lightkeepers-Houses-Unit-1-Whitehead-Carrickfergus-P8438 Blackhead Lightkeepers' House] Unit1 -Self-Catering
* [http://www.discovernorthernireland.com/Blackhead-Lightkeepers-Houses-Unit-2-Whitehead-Carrickfergus-P8437 Blackhead Lightkeepers' House] Unit2 -Self-Catering

Local Councillors and MP's

Carrickfergus is covered by the Carrick Castle Constituency.

* [http://www.carrickfergus.org/site/civic/civic_councillers.htm Carrickfergus Councillors]

Local MP's for the area include:

* [http://www.niassembly.gov.uk/members/biogs_07/wilson_s.htm Sammy Wilson] (DUP)
* [http://www.niassembly.gov.uk/members/biogs_07/hilditch_d.htm David Hilditch] (DUP)
* [http://www.niassembly.gov.uk/members/biogs_07/ross_a.htm Alastair Ross] (DUP)
* [http://www.niassembly.gov.uk/members/biogs_07/beggs_r.htm Roy Beggs] (UUP)
* [http://www.niassembly.gov.uk/members/biogs_07/robinson_k.htm Ken Robinson] (UUP)
* [http://www.niassembly.gov.uk/members/biogs_07/neeson_s.htm Sean Neeson] (Alliance)

Town twinning

*flagicon|United States Portsmouth, New Hampshire

References

* [http://www.culturenorthernireland.org/town_Home.aspx?co=16&to=323&ca=0&sca=0&navID=1 Culture Northern Ireland website.]

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2007/07/22/nshot122.xml

ee also

* Abbeys and priories in Northern Ireland (County Antrim)
* List of towns in Northern Ireland
* List of villages in Northern Ireland
* Market Houses in Northern Ireland
* The song "Carrickfergus"

External links

* [http://www.thirdcarrickband.co.uk Third Carrickfergus Silver Band]
* [http://www.castlefm.co.uk Carrick's Castle FM]
* [http://www.carrickferguscricket.org Carrickfergus Cricket Club Website]
* [http://www.bentragolf.co.uk Bentra Golf Course]
* [http://www.basementni.com The Basement, buy/sell/trade/rent]
* [http://www.carrickfergusinbloom.org Carrickfergus in Bloom]
* [http://www.nidj.co.uk NIDJ Entertainment Site, Started In Carrickfergus]
* [http://www.molwert.de/Lieder/Carrickfergus.htm Words and music to the folk song "Carrickfergus"]
* [http://www.carrickfergus.org Carrickfergus Borough Council]
* [http://www.saintnicholas.org.uk St. Nicholas Church, Carrickfergus]
* [http://www.bbc.co.uk/northernireland/learning/getwritingni/ram/macneice_carrickfergus.ram Louis MacNeice talks about Carrickfergus on the BBC website]
* [http://www.ehsni.gov.uk/carrick.shtml Carrickfergus Castle]
* [http://www.carrickrangers.co.uk/ Carrick Rangers Football Club]
* [http://www.carrickfergusfm.co.uk/ The Short Term Radio Station for Carrickfergus]
* [http://radiopartners.mypodcast.com/ Podcasts from Justin Macartney on Carrickfergus FM]
* [http://www.iop.org/activity/awards/Senior_Awards/The_Thomas_Young_Medal_and_Prize/thomas_young_medal_recipients/page_10142.html]