Carrickfergus

Carrickfergus, an Irish seaport town and county of itself, situated on the north side of Belfast Lough, on the south-eastern border of County Antrim, 9½ miles N. of Belfast and 12 miles S. of Larne by rail. Its chief feature is its picturesque castle, supposed to have been erected by De Courcy in the 12th century. It stands on a rock about 30 feet high, projecting boldly into the sea. The keep is 90 feet high. But one gateway now remains of the ancient city walls. Here William III. landed seventeen days before the battle of the Boyne, and here Thurot made an abortive landing in 1760. Flax-spinning is carried on, and there is an active fishery of oysters. Pop. (1851) 8488; (1881) 10,009; (1891) 8923; of town proper, 4800. Carrickfergus returns one member.