Carrickfergus Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

Carrickfergus
Carrickfergus
Carrickfergus
Carrickfergus
Carrickfergus
One of the oldest towns in Northern Ireland, Carrickfergusis only 11 miles north-east of Belfast centre, the city it predates and rivals interms of a warm Irish welcome. On the shores of Belfast Lough – formerly knownas Carrickfergus Bay – the imposing 12th century CarrickfergusCastle is the seaside town’s best-known landmark, but dig a littledeeper and you’ll find countless attractions and amusements within and around segmentsof the 16th century walls that enclose the old town.

Known locally simply as Carrick,it won’t take you long to get to know and love the town on an initial amble.Start out in the seaside atmosphere of the marina, with its cosmopolitancollection of restaurants, bars and shops, take in the harbour beneath thecastle walls and walk the quayside. Be sure to see the glorious stained glass windowsin St Nicholas Church before storming the town walls to take in the pleasuresof the town’s traditional streets. Look out for the shops and bars of NorthStreet and West Street, and the stocks in the centre of town!

Nautical Carrickfergus

Carrickfergus seafront boasts twinattractions, new and old. The 12th-century Norman harbour is the perfect spotto while away an hour or two, watching the comings and goings of the boats andthe fortunes of the local anglers. The promenade alongside the castle is one ofthe most picturesque spots in town.

Builtin the 1980s, CarrickfergusMarina extends to more than just the town’s Sailing Club, boasting acinema, restaurants and plenty of facilities for the kids in a moderncomplex.

Carrickfergus Castle

The jewel in the crown of Carrickfergus,the castle is soaked in Northern Irish history and attracts a steady stream ofvisitors from Belfast and beyond. Alongside the Giant’s Causeway, the OldBushmills Distillery and the famous Carrick-a-redesalmon-fishermen’s rope bridge, it is deservedly cast as one of the wonders ofIreland’s Causeway Coast Way, all of which are accessible from a base in Carrickfergus.

Views of Carrickfergus

While Carrickfergus Castleoffers panoramic views of the harbour and Belfast Lough, views across town canalso be gained from a seemingly unlikely source, which comes recommended. TheFlame museum is based at the old CarrickfergusGasworks, the sole surviving example in Ireland. There’s a fascinatingcollection of industrial history in situ, but the ascent of the gasholder isliterally the highlight!

So Much to See in Carrickfergus

Just a mile from the town centre is a very special18th century Irish farmhouse dating back to around 1750, painstakingly restoredinside and out to an authentic state. The Andrew Jackson Centre commemoratesthe life and career of the seventh president of the United States, whose familyemigrated from Carrickfergus in 1765. In thecottage grounds is a museum dedicated to the US Rangers, the combat unit whoseroots lie here in Carrick. And don’t miss thesteam train preservation society excursion station at Whitehead.

Enjoy Carrickfergus

Whether you’re heading north for Larne and theCauseway Coast, exploring Lough Neagh or the attractions closer to Carrickfergus,there’s lots of sporting options – golf, sailing, coastal activities – andhistorical highlights to enjoy. And, of course, international-classentertainment and annual cultural festivals of Belfast are always close athand.

Dobbins Inn

Dobbins Inn

3 out of 5
6-8 High St, Carrickfergus, Northern Ireland
The price is ฿3,589 per night from 1 Sept to 2 Sept
฿3,589
฿4,306 total
1 Sept - 2 Sept
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3-star hotel in Carrickfergus. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and room service. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in their ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (471 reviews)
Overseas trip
"We had a great few days at the Dobbins Inn. Breakfast had all the usual options and was perfect. We had dinner 2 of the nights and it was some of the best food we had on our trip. The rooms are dated but it's an old place and expected. The bed was comfortable, and the windows opened enough to control ..."

Reviewed on 28 Jul 2025

Dobbins Inn
Maldron Hotel Belfast City

Maldron Hotel Belfast City

4 out of 5
20 Brunswick Street, Belfast, Northern Ireland
The price is ฿3,657 per night from 25 Aug to 26 Aug
฿3,657
฿4,388 total
25 Aug - 26 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star eco-certified hotel in Belfast. Enjoy breakfast (surcharge), room service and a fitness centre. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,337 reviews)
"This was a nice hotel on an excellent location. The room was newly renovated. I would have given 5 stars but the breakfast let it down. Most of it was over done. Iv had buffet style breakfast at a lot of hotels. But bacon was solid as was black pudding and haggis. There was however a decent choice ..."

Reviewed on 9 Aug 2025

Maldron Hotel Belfast City
The Fitzwilliam Hotel Belfast

The Fitzwilliam Hotel Belfast

5 out of 5
Great Victoria Street, Belfast, Northern Ireland
The price is ฿6,488 per night from 1 Sept to 2 Sept
฿6,488
฿7,786 total
1 Sept - 2 Sept
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 5-star luxury hotel in Belfast. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and 24-hour room service. Our guests praise the bar and the helpful staff ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (1,003 reviews)
"😊"

Reviewed on 7 Aug 2025

The Fitzwilliam Hotel Belfast
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
The Ulsterville Residences

The Ulsterville Residences

3 out of 5
56 Ulsterville Avenue Lisburn road, Belfast, Northern Ireland
Stay at this 3-star family-friendly apartment in Belfast. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and a garden. Popular attractions Titanic Belfast and Windsor Park are ...
9.8/10 Exceptional! (28 reviews)
"Host is great. Very responsive and accommodating. 5 stars! Area isn’t the best appearance wise but to be fair no issues encountered."

Reviewed on 29 Jul 2025

The Ulsterville Residences
The Edge

The Edge

2 out of 5
1 Frederick St, Belfast, Northern Ireland
Stay at this aparthotel in Belfast. Enjoy free Wi-Fi. Popular attractions Titanic Belfast and Metropolitan Arts Centre are located nearby.
5/10 (2 reviews)
presa in giro
"Quando ho prenotato, 15 GG prima del soggiorno,ho chiesto una stanza con due letti. Mi avessero risposto che avevano stanze solo con letto matrimoniale avrei avuto tempo per disdire la prenotazione. Invece solo quando sono arrivato e ho visto la stanza. chiedendo di cambiare. mi hanno detto che in ..."

Reviewed on 31 Jul 2025

The Edge
Cordia Serviced Apartments

Cordia Serviced Apartments

4 out of 5
Lisburn Road,355-367, Belfast, Northern Ireland
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly aparthotel in Belfast. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and a business centre. Our guests praise the helpful staff in their ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (178 reviews)
Comfortable and spacious apartments
"Comfortable and spacious apartments with secure parking including good value EV charging."

Reviewed on 21 Jul 2025

Cordia Serviced Apartments
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

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