Carrickfergus

File:DV405 no.228 Castle of Carrickfergus.png

The town is said to take its name from Fergus Mór (Fergus the Great), the legendary king of Dál Riata. According to one tale, his ship ran aground on a rock by the shore, which became known as "Carraig Fhearghais" – the rock of Fergus.

As an urban settlement, Carrickfergus far pre-dates the capital city Belfast and was for a lengthy period both larger and more prominent than the nearby city. Belfast Lough itself was known as 'Carrickfergus Bay' well into the 17th century. Carrickfergus and the surrounding area was, for a time, treated as a separate county. The historical walled town originally occupied an area of around 97,000 square metres, which now comprises the town centre, bordered by Albert Road to the west, the Marine Highway to the south, Shaftesbury Park to the north and Joymount Presbyterian Church grounds to the east. Segments of the town wall are still visible in various parts of the town and in various states of preservation. Archaeological excavations close to the walls' foundations have yielded many artefacts that have helped historians piece together a picture of the lives of the 12th and 13th century inhabitants.[http://www.carrickfergus.org/tourism/museum/medieval-times/ Mediæval Times in Carrickfergus' History] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110305053225/http://www.carrickfergus.org/tourism/museum/medieval-times/ |date=5 March 2011 }}, carrickfergus.org; accessed 2 May 2016.

Carrickfergus became an inhabited town shortly after 1170, when Anglo-Norman knight John de Courcy invaded Ulster, established his headquarters in the area and built Carrickfergus Castle on the "rock of Fergus" in 1177.{{Cite web|url=https://www.culturenorthernireland.org/features/heritage/history-carrickfergus|title=A History of Carrickfergus|first=Culture Northern|last=Ireland|date=31 August 2005|website=Culture Northern Ireland|access-date=30 April 2021|archive-date=3 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210503125727/https://www.culturenorthernireland.org/features/heritage/history-carrickfergus|url-status=dead}} The castle, which is the most prominent landmark of Carrickfergus, is widely known as one of the best-preserved Norman castles in Ireland.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-northern-ireland-26540165|title=History unearthed at medieval castle|last=Maxwell|first=David|date=12 March 2014|publisher=BBC News|access-date=19 February 2018}}

Sometime between 1203 and 1205, De Courcy was expelled from Ulster by Hugh de Lacy, as authorised by King John. De Lacy oversaw the final construction of the castle, which included the gatehouse, drum towers and outer ward. It was at this time that he established the nearby St Nicholas' Church. De Lacy was relieved of his command of the town in 1210, when King John himself arrived and placed the castle under royal authority. De Lacy eventually regained his title of Earl of Ulster in 1227, however the castle and its walled town were captured several more times following his death (in 1242). The forces of Edward de Bruce captured the town in 1315 and the castle in 1316 before his death in battle in 1318.{{cite book |last1=Duffy |first1=Sean |title=Robert the Bruce's Irish Wars |date=2002 |publisher=Tempus Publishing |pages=23, 39}} The town was largely destroyed by the Scots in 1402.

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. A contemporary Elizabethan illustration of Carrickfergus shows ten tower-houses, as well as terraces of single-storey houses, some detached cottages and 70 or more Irish beehive-type huts in the town.{{cite book|last=O'Neill, B (ed).|year=2002|title=Irish Castles and Historic Houses|publisher=Caxton Editions|location=London, UK|page=14}}

File:CARRICKFERGUS CASTLE 113.jpg circa 1840.]]

Sir Arthur Chichester was appointed by the Earl of Essex to govern the castle and town in 1599 and was responsible for the plantation of English and Scottish peoples in the town, as well as the building of the town wall.[http://www.carrickfergus.org/tourism/museum/1500s-and-beyond 1500s and Beyond in Carrickfergus] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110305014508/http://www.carrickfergus.org/tourism/museum/1500s-and-beyond |date=5 March 2011 }}, carrickfergus.org; accessed 8 March 2016.

File:Plaque at Carrickfergus harbour - geograph.org.uk - 221331.jpg in the town in 1690.]]

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.{{cite web|url=https://collections.rmg.co.uk/collections/objects/11822.html|title=Landing of William III at Carrickfergus, 14 June 1690|publisher=Royal Museums Greenwich|access-date=30 April 2021}}

File:St Nicholas' Church, Carrickfergus.jpg

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 1711 Carrickfergus was the scene of the last witchcraft trial in Ireland. Eight women were charged with bewitching a young girl, and were convicted, despite a strong indication from one of the judges that the jury should acquit. They were sentenced to a year in prison and four sessions in the pillory.{{cite news|url=http://www.independent.ie/lifestyle/the-witches-of-antrim-2660284.html|title=The witches of Antrim|date=26 May 2011|access-date=1 June 2011|work=Irish Independent|first=Declan|last=Cashin}}

In April 1778, during the American War of Independence, John Paul Jones, in command of the American ship Ranger, attempted to capture a British Royal Navy sloop of war, {{HMS|Drake|1777|6}}, 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."USS Ranger". Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships. 2003. Retrieved 9 January 2012"He Bought HMS Drake". Seacoast New Hampshire. 2012. Retrieved 9 January 2012.

During the 1790s there was considerable support in the Carrickfergus area for the United Irishmen.{{cite web|url=http://www.saintnicholas.org.uk/carrickfergus.html |title=Saint Nicholas Church, Carrickfergus |access-date=9 February 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120209085932/http://www.saintnicholas.org.uk/carrickfergus.html |archive-date=9 February 2012}} On 14 October 1797 William Orr was hanged in the town following what was widely regarded as a show trial held in Carrickfergus Courthouse{{Cite web|url=https://www.libraryireland.com/articles/WilliamOrrSpeechesDock/index.php|title=William Orr – Speech from the Dock|website=libraryireland.com}} (now the Town Hall{{cite web|url=http://www.doeni.gov.uk/niea/ehod_antrim-2.pdf |title=Archived copy |access-date=9 February 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110424144803/http://www.doeni.gov.uk/niea/ehod_antrim-2.pdf |archive-date=24 April 2011}}) and in 1798 United Irish founder Henry Joy McCracken was captured on the outskirts of the town while trying to escape to America.{{cite web |url=http://www.ulsterhistory.co.uk/henryjoymccracken.htm |title=Henry Joy McCracken – United irishman |access-date=7 March 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120204035344/http://www.ulsterhistory.co.uk/henryjoymccracken.htm |archive-date=4 February 2012}}

File:Town of Carrickfergus, 1835 (IA jstor-30004300) (page 1 crop).jpg]]

In 1912 the people of Carrickfergus turned out in their thousands to watch as the {{RMS|Titanic}} made its first ever journey up the lough from its construction dock in Belfast. The famous passenger liner was anchored overnight just off the coast of Carrickfergus, before continuing on its journey.[http://www.carrickfergus.org/tourism/museum/recent-history/ Recent Times] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110305020042/http://www.carrickfergus.org/tourism/museum/recent-history/ |date=5 March 2011 }}, Carrickfergus.org; accessed 2 May 2016.

File:Carrickfergus Castle 2020.jpg

During World War II, Northern Ireland was an important military base for United States Naval and Air Operations and a training ground for American G.I.s. The First Battalions of the elite US Rangers were activated and based in Sunnylands Camp for their initial training. The US Rangers Centre in nearby Boneybefore pays homage to this period in history. It is rumoured that Italian and German POWs were held in the town, the Italians in a camp at Sullatober mill, and Germans at Sunnylands.{{cite news|url=https://carrickfergushistory.co.uk/about-carrick-2/|title=Carrickfergus History {{!}} The Complete History of Carrick {{!}} Part 2 {{!}} Carrickfergus History|work=Carrickfergus History|access-date=19 February 2018}}

In the 1970s, the town became an important centre for the textile industry. An ICI man-made fibres factory was opened at Kilroot and was followed by the Rothman's cigarette factory. Courtaulds operated a large rayon works there until the 1980s.{{cite journal|last=Garnsey|first= R.|title=The Experience of Courtaulds Ltd. In Northern Ireland|journal= The Journal of Industrial Economics|publisher=The Journal of Industrial Economics 13 |year=1965|volume= 13|pages=54–61|doi=10.2307/2098648|jstor= 2098648}}

In 1981, Kilroot power station opened and is the largest power station in Northern Ireland.{{cite web|url=http://www.r-e-a.net/installations/kilroot-power-station |title=Kilroot Power Station |work=r-e-a.net |accessdate=31 January 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110724030445/http://www.r-e-a.net/installations/kilroot-power-station |archive-date=24 July 2011 }}

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.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b008m69j|title=Proms in the Park|publisher=BBC|access-date=30 April 2021}}

The British peerage title of Baron Carrickfergus, which had become extinct in 1883, was bestowed upon Prince William on his wedding day in 2011.{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-13240882 |title=Carrickfergus a 'Royal stronghold' for 1,000 years |last=Phoenix |first=Eamon |date=29 April 2011 |publisher=BBC News |access-date=28 September 2023 |quote=The designation of Prince William as Baron Carrickfergus links the heir to the British throne to Northern Ireland's oldest town and one identified with the English crown for almost a thousand years.}} He visited the town with Catherine, Princess of Wales in October 2022.{{cite web |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/prince-william-prince-wales-chris-heatonharris-family-tree-b2197177.html |title=William and Kate bring historic town of Carrickfergus to a standstill |last=McCambridge |first=Jonathan |date=6 October 2022 |website=The Independent|location=London |access-date=28 September 2023 }}

Throughout the course of The Troubles, there was a paramilitary presence in the town, namely the Ulster Volunteer Force and Ulster Defence Association.{{cite web |url=http://www.carrickparish.org/history_of_parish2.htm |title=History of Parish |access-date=22 August 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120215225542/http://www.carrickparish.org/history_of_parish2.htm |archive-date=15 February 2012}} Census figures show that the Catholic population of Carrickfergus declined from 16.2% in 1971 to 9.56% in 2011.[http://cain.ulst.ac.uk/ni/popul.htm Census data], cain.ulst.ac.uk; accessed 24 September 2015.

The town is the subject of the classic Irish folk song "Carrickfergus", a 19th-century translation of an Irish-language song (Do Bhí Bean Uasal)Amhránleabhar Ógra Éireann, Folens, Dublin (8th edition, 1971) from Munster, which begins with the words, "I wish I was in Carrickfergus".George Petrie: Ancient Music of Ireland, M.H. Gill, Dublin 1855 (re-printed 2005, University of Leeds; {{ISBN|978-1-85918-398-4}})

Scottish Gaelic poet Alasdair mac Mhaighstir Alasdair's immram poem Birlinn Chloinne Raghnaill ("The Birlinn of Clanranald"), describes the sea voyage of a Highland war galley from Loch Eynort, in South Uist, to Carrickfergus. Alan Riach, who has translated the poem into English, has praised the genius of its 18th-century author and how brilliantly he emulated both Homer and Virgil in telling his tale of men against the sea.[https://www.thenational.scot/news/14861548.not-burns-alasdair-mac-mhaighstir-alasdair/ Not Burns – Alasdair Mac Mhaighstir Alasdair!] by Alan Riach, The National: The Newspaper that Supports an Independent Scotland, 11, February 2016. Riach has also alleged that, in addition to being an immortal work of Scottish Gaelic literature, The Birlinn of Clanranald, is, "one of the great poems of world literature."[https://www.scottishpoetrylibrary.org.uk/podcast/alan-riach/ The Scottish Poetry Library interviews Alan Riach], June 2016.

File:West Street, Carrickfergus (2) - geograph.org.uk - 1496873.jpg

File:Carrickfergus-Marina.JPG ]]

File:Carrickfergus war memorial - geograph.org.uk - 1094675.jpg

File:Pillory, Carrickfergus - geograph.org.uk - 1094593.jpg in the town centre are popular attractions for visiting tourists.]]

As of the 2021 census, in March 2021, there were 28,141 people living in Carrickfergus.{{cite web |title=Census 2021 estimates that classify People at Settlement 2015 level|url=https://build.nisra.gov.uk/en/custom/data?d=PEOPLE&v=SETTLEMENT15&%7ESETTLEMENT15=N11000153 |website=NISRA |access-date=18 August 2023}} Of these:

• 73.49% were from the Protestant or other Christian community backgrounds and 8.55% were from a Roman Catholic Christian community background.{{cite web |title=Religion or religion brought up in |url=https://build.nisra.gov.uk/en/custom/data?d=PEOPLE&v=SETTLEMENT15&v=RELIGION_BELONG_TO_OR_BROUGHT_UP_IN_DVO&%7ESETTLEMENT15=N11000153 |website=NISRA |access-date=18 August 2023}}
• 73.94% indicated that they had a British national identity,{{cite web |title=National Identity (British) |url=https://build.nisra.gov.uk/en/custom/data?d=PEOPLE&v=SETTLEMENT15&v=NAT_ID_BRITISH&%7ESETTLEMENT15=N11000153 |website=NISRA |access-date=18 August 2023}} 5.53% had an Irish national identity{{cite web |title=National Identity (Irish) |url=https://build.nisra.gov.uk/en/custom/data?d=PEOPLE&v=SETTLEMENT15&v=NAT_ID_IRISH_AGG3&%7ESETTLEMENT15=N11000153 |website=NISRA |access-date=18 August 2023}} and 37.32% had a Northern Irish national identity{{cite web |title=National Identity (Northern Irish) |url=https://build.nisra.gov.uk/en/custom/data?d=PEOPLE&v=SETTLEMENT15&v=NAT_ID_NORTHERN_IRISH_AGG3&%7ESETTLEMENT15=N11000153 |website=NISRA |access-date=18 August 2023}} (respondents could choose more than one national identity).

On census day 2011, 27 March 2011, there were 27,998 people living in Carrickfergus.{{cite web | url = https://www.ninis2.nisra.gov.uk/public/AreaProfileReportViewer.aspx?FromAPAddressMulipleRecords=Carrickfergus@Exact%20match%20of%20location%20name:%20@Exact%20Match%20Of%20Location%20Name:%20%20Carrickfergus@23? | title = Census 2011 Population Statistics for Carrickfergus Settlement | publisher = Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency (NISRA) | access-date = 12 August 2019}} Of these:

• 20.23% were aged under 16 years and 14.73% were aged 65 and over.
• 51.95% of the usually resident population were female and 48.05% were male.
• 80.70% were from the Protestant or other Christian community backgrounds and 8.35% were from a Roman Catholic Christian community background.
• 78.26% indicated that they had a British national identity, 4.73% had an Irish national identity and 29.36% had a Northern Irish national identity (respondents could choose more than one national identity)
• 39 years was the average (median) age of the population.
• 8.49% had some knowledge of Ulster-Scots and 1.99% had some knowledge of Irish.

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|access-date=27 August 2007}} In addition, the northwest of the town is served by Clipperstown railway station, and the east by Downshire railway station. All three stations have regular commuter services to Belfast and Larne with connections to Dublin and Derry~Londonderry at Belfast. Four historic stations in Carrickfergus; Barn, Eden, Mount, and Kilroot; closed in the 1970s.{{cite web | title=Mount Halt | work=Railscot – Irish Railways | url=http://www.railscot.co.uk/Ireland/Irish_railways.pdf | accessdate=28 August 2007}}

File:Carrickfergus Town Hall, January 2011 (04).JPG]]

Carrickfergus is covered by the East Antrim constituency, whose Member of Parliament (MP) is Sammy Wilson of the DUP. The Parliamentary constituency of Carrickfergus existed from 1801 to 1885.

Local MLAs for the area following the 2022 Northern Ireland Assembly election are:{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/election/2022/northern-ireland/constituencies/N06000005 |title=East Antrim|publisher=BBC|access-date= 6 February 2024}}

• John Stewart (UUP)
• Gordon Lyons (DUP)
• David Hilditch (DUP)
• Stewart Dickson (Alliance)
• Danny Donnelly (Alliance)

Until 2015 the local authority was Carrickfergus Borough Council, based at Carrickfergus Town Hall.{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-northern-ireland-20765552|title=Sectarian abuse in Carrickfergus council disruption|publisher=BBC News |date=18 December 2012}} Since 1 April 2015 Carrickfergus has come under the control of Mid and East Antrim Borough Council. The town is covered by two of the council's wards, Carrick Castle and Knockagh.{{Cite web|url=https://www.midandeastantrim.gov.uk/council/about-us/borough-council-map|title=Borough Council Map|website=midandeastantrim.gov.uk}} In the May 2023 local elections, the following councillors were elected for these wards:-

Carrick Castle{{Cite web|url=https://www.midandeastantrim.gov.uk/council/elections/local-government-elections-2023-outcomes|title=Carrick Castle | Mid and East Antrim Borough Council|website=midandeastantrim.gov.uk}}

• Billy Ashe (DUP)
• Cheryl Brownlee (DUP)
• Bethany Ferris (UUP)
• Lauren Gray (Alliance)
• Robin Stewart (UUP)

Knockagh{{Cite web|url=https://www.midandeastantrim.gov.uk/council/elections/local-government-elections-2023-outcomes|title=Knockagh | Mid and East Antrim Borough Council|website=midandeastantrim.gov.uk}}

• Marc Collins (DUP)
• Bobby Hadden (Independent)
• Peter Johnston (DUP)
• Aaron Skinner (Alliance)
• Andrew Wilson (UUP)

There are several primary in Carrickfergus, including St Nicholas' Primary School.

Secondary schools serving the area include Carrickfergus Grammar School, Carrickfergus Academy and Ulidia Integrated College.{{citation needed|date=December 2021}}

Sporting establishments in the town include the association football clubs Carrick Rangers F.C. and Barn United FC.

Carrickfergus Sailing Club and Carrickfergus Cricket Club are also based in the town.

Carrickfergus FM is a Restricted Service Licence community radio station which broadcasts seasonally in the area.{{citation needed|date=December 2023}}

{{See also|Category:People from Carrickfergus}}

• Robert Adrain (1775–1843), mathematician, considered one of the best mathematical minds of his time, was born in Carrickfergus{{cite book|title=Who Was Who in America, Historical Volume, 1607–1896|publisher=Marquis Who's Who|year=1967}}
• Edward Bruce (c. 1280–1319), High King of Ireland and Earl of Carrick, brother to Robert the Bruce, King of Scots.{{cite web|url=https://www.dib.ie/biography/bruce-edward-a1068|title=Bruce, Edward|publisher=Dictionary of Irish Biography|access-date=12 November 2022}}
• Sir John de Courcy (1160–1219) Anglo Norman knight and builder of Carrickfergus Castle{{cite news|url=http://www.thedownrecorder.co.uk/pages/?title=The_legacy_of_John_de_Courcy|title=The legacy of John de Courcy|date=15 April 2020|newspaper=Down Recorder|access-date=12 November 2022}}
• Hugh de Lacy, 1st Earl of Ulster (c. 1176 – c. 1242){{Cite EB1911|wstitle=Ulster, Earls of|volume=27|pages=568–569}}
• William Orr, United Irishman, was hanged in Carrickfergus on 14 October 1797 shortly before the failed rebellion.{{cite book|title=Speeches From the Dock, or Protests of Irish Patriotism|first= Seán Ua |last=Cellaigh|location=Dublin|year=1953|publisher=M.H. Gill & Son}}
• Charlotte Riddell, writer of the Victorian period, was born Charlotte Eliza Lawson Cowan (1832) in Carrickfergus.{{cite web|url=https://www.victorianweb.org/authors/riddell/ellis.html|title=Mrs J. H. Riddell: The Novelist of the City and of Middlesex|publisher=Victorian Web| access-date=12 November 2022}}
• Jonathan Swift, the poet and satirist lived in Kilroot, on the outskirts of the town, and wrote A Tale of a Tub there.{{cite news|url=https://www.newsletter.co.uk/heritage-and-retro/heritage/gullivers-travels-author-jonathan-swift-had-no-love-ulster-presbyterianism-2992273|title='Gulliver's Travels' author Jonathan Swift had no love for Ulster Presbyterianism|date=5 October 2020|publisher=News Letter|access-date=12 November 2022}}

• Daniel Cambridge, recipient of the Victoria Cross{{cite web|url=https://victoriacrossonline.co.uk/?page_id=2546|title= Daniel Cambridge|date= 26 January 2022|publisher=Victoria Cross Online|access-date=12 November 2022}}
• James Crichton, recipient of the Victoria Cross{{cite book|last1=Harper|first1=Glyn|author-link=Glyn Harper|last2=Richardson|first2=Colin|title=In the Face of the Enemy: The Complete History of the Victoria Cross and New Zealand|year=2007|publisher=HarperCollins|location=Auckland, New Zealand|isbn=978-1-86950-650-6|page=173}}
• Sammy Curran, a prolific Irish League goalscorer between the wars playing for Woodburn and Belfast Celtic among others, who was also capped 4 times by Ireland.{{cite web|url=https://eu-football.info/_player.php?id=4070|title=Sammy Curran|publisher=EU Football| access-date=12 November 2022}}
• Bob Gilmore (1961–2015), musicologist and player of piano and keyboards, was born in nearby Larne; lived in Carrickfergus during his childhood.{{cite web|url=https://homepages.inf.ed.ac.uk/stg/Bob_Gilmore/ni.html|title=Bob Gilmore|publisher=UNiversity of Edinburgh|access-date=12 November 2022}}
• Seán Lester (1888–1959) was born in Carrickfergus. He was the last Secretary General of the League of Nations, from 1940 to 1946.{{cite web|url=http://www.hidden-gems.eu/Carrick%20Sean%20Lester.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201229170634/http://www.hidden-gems.eu/Carrick%20Sean%20Lester.pdf |archive-date=29 December 2020 |url-status=live|title=John (Seán) Ernest Lester, Acting Secretary-General of the League of Nations|publisher=Carrickfergus and District Historical Society|access-date=12 November 2022}}
• Billy McMillan, former Belfast Celtic and dual IFA and FAI Irish international footballer who lived his entire life in Carrickfergus.{{cite web|url=https://www.national-football-teams.com/player/37023/Billy_Mcmillan.html|title=Billy McMillan|publisher=National Football Teams| access-date=12 November 2022}}
• Louis MacNeice, poet, moved to the town when he was two years old (his father was appointed Rector of St Nicholas' Church of Ireland Church), and he left at the age of ten to attend boarding school in England; one of his poems, Carrickfergus (1937), relates his ambiguous feelings about the town where he spent his early boyhood.{{cite web|url=https://allpoetry.com/Carrickfergus|title=Carrickfergus |first=Louis|last= MacNeice|publisher=All Poetry|access-date=12 November 2022}}

• Gillian Arnold, artist and designer, born Carrickfergus. (1971–1990){{cite web|url=https://issuu.com/christopherhackett/docs/october-november_proof/8|title=Botanical Britain: Picked, Pressed, Printed|publisher=Home and Gift Show Review|page=8|date=5 October 2013| access-date=13 November 2022}}
• John Devine, Irish Football League footballer and manager{{cite web |url=http://nifootball.blogspot.com/2006/10/john-devine.html |title=John Devine |date=28 October 2006 |work=Northern Ireland's Footballing Greats |access-date=31 March 2025}}
• Ryan Eagleson, Derbyshire and Irish international cricketer, 65 caps for Ireland, 1995–2004.{{cite news|url=https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/sport/cricket/ryan-eagleson-we-just-took-everything-for-granted-and-now-you-realise-the-important-things-in-life-39183978.html|title=Ryan Eagleson: 'We just took everything for granted and now you realise the important things in life'|date=6 May 2020| newspaper=Belfast Telegraph|access-date=13 November 2022}}
• Fit Finlay, former WWE wrestler, was born and raised in the satellite village of Greenisland.{{cite news|url=https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/northern-ireland/meet-the-next-generation-of-fighting-fit-finlays-name-synonymous-with-the-golden-age-of-wrestling-30724872.html|title=Meet the next generation of fighting Fit Finlays: Name synonymous with the golden age of wrestling|date=7 November 2014| newspaper=Belfast Telegraph|access-date=13 November 2022}}
• Jimmy Hill (Norwich City) and Billy McCullough (Arsenal), Northern Ireland international footballers born in Carrickfergus.{{cite web|url=https://www.national-football-teams.com/player/36221/Jimmy_Hill.html|title=Jimmy Hill|publisher=National Football Teams| access-date=13 November 2022}}
• Bobby Irvine (Stoke City), Northern Ireland international footballer born in nearby Eden before moving to Carrickfergus.{{cite web|url=https://www.national-football-teams.com/player/36990/Bobby_Irvine.html|title=Bobby Irvine|publisher=National Football Teams| access-date=13 November 2022}}
• Willie Irvine (Burnley), Northern Ireland international footballer born in Eden before moving to Carrickfergus.{{cite book |first=Dave |last=Thomas |title=Willie Irvine: Together Again| year=2005 |publisher=SportsBooks |location=Cheltenham |isbn=1-899807-33-0|page=23 }}
• Niamh Kavanagh, Irish Eurovision entrant and winner of 1993.{{cite news|author1=O'Hara, Victoria|author2=Poole, Amanda|name-list-style=amp|url=http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/entertainment/film-tv/news/ireland-expects-as-niamh-goes-for-eurovision-glory-14824906.html|title=Ireland expects as Niamh goes for Eurovision glory|date=29 May 2010|work=Belfast Telegraph|access-date=29 May 2010|archive-date=1 June 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100601080103/http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/entertainment/film-tv/news/ireland-expects-as-niamh-goes-for-eurovision-glory-14824906.html|url-status=live}}
• Adrian McKinty, novelist, author of the Sean Duffy novels set in Carrickfergus, was raised in the town.{{cite news|url=https://www.irishnews.com/arts/2019/10/30/news/carrickfergus-crime-writer-adrian-mckinty-bags-film-deal-with-his-latest-novel-1747114/|title=Carrickfergus crime writer Adrian McKinty bags film deal with his latest novel|date=30 October 2019|newspaper=The Irish News|access-date=13 November 2022}}
• Seán Neeson, politician and activist; former leader of the Alliance Party NI sat on Carrickfergus Council (1977–2013), and represented East Antrim in the NI Assembly (1998–2011).{{cite web|url=http://archive.niassembly.gov.uk/members/biogs_03/neeson_s.htm|title= Seán Neeson|date= 26 November 2003|publisher=Northern Ireland Assembly| access-date=13 November 2022}}
• Stuart Robinson, host of Northern Ireland's Young Star Search and presenter on Cool FM.{{cite news|url=https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/life/features/rachel-deans-big-ask-cool-fms-stuart-robinson-on-his-love-for-disney-and-how-his-supportive-parents-helped-him-break-into-radio-39218344.html|title=Rachel Dean's Big Ask: Cool FM's Stuart Robinson on his love for Disney and how his supportive parents helped him break into radio|date=20 May 2020|newspaper=Belfast Telegraph|access-date=13 November 2022}}
• Jackie Woodburne, actress known for her role as Susan Kennedy in Australian soap opera Neighbours, was born in Carrickfergus.{{cite web |last=Archer |first=Neil |title=Dawn rider |url=http://www.goldcoast.com.au/article/2009/01/03/36351_more-gossip-news.html |work=Goldcoast.com.au |access-date=21 November 2010 |date=3 January 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090114214707/http://www.goldcoast.com.au/article/2009/01/03/36351_more-gossip-news.html |archive-date=14 January 2009}}
• Jo Zebedee (born 1971), writer brought up in the town.{{cite news|url=https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/life/features/meet-the-corporate-high-flyer-who-cut-back-on-long-hours-and-constant-travel-for-a-better-quality-of-life-writing-science-fiction-books-35338922.html|title=Meet the corporate high-flyer who cut back on long hours and constant travel for a better quality of life – writing science fiction books|date=4 January 2017|newspaper=Belfast Telegraph|access-date=13 November 2022}}

{{See also|List of twin towns and sister cities in the United Kingdom}}

Carrickfergus is twinned with:{{cite web |title=Welcome|url=https://carrickfergushistory.co.uk/|website=carrickfergushistory.co.uk|publisher=Carrickfergus History|access-date=13 May 2020}}

• Anderson, United States
• Danville, United States
• Jackson, United States
• Portsmouth, United States
• Ruda Śląska, Poland

• Baron Carrickfergus
• Abbeys and priories in Northern Ireland (County Antrim)
• List of towns and villages in Northern Ireland
• List of towns and villages in Northern Ireland
• List of localities in Northern Ireland by population
• Market houses in Northern Ireland

{{Reflist}}

{{Commons category|Carrickfergus}}

{{EB1911 poster|Carrickfergus}}

{{Wikivoyage}}

• [http://www.carrickfergus.org Carrickfergus Borough Council] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/19980207153547/http://www.carrickfergus.org/ |date=7 February 1998 }}
• [http://www.bbc.co.uk/northernireland/learning/getwritingni/ram/macneice_carrickfergus.ram Louis MacNeice talks about Carrickfergus] on the BBC website
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20070927204436/http://www.culturenorthernireland.org/town_Home.aspx?co=16&to=323&ca=0&sca=0&navID=1 Culture Northern Ireland website]

{{NorthernIrishTowns}}

{{County Antrim}}

{{Authority control}}

Category:Barony of Carrickfergus

Category:Beaches of Northern Ireland

Category:Port cities and towns in Northern Ireland

Category:Ports and harbours of Northern Ireland

Category:Townlands of County Antrim

Category:Towns in County Antrim

Category:Civil parishes of County Antrim

Category:Populated places established in the 12th century