Carrickfergus, Norman coastal town in County Antrim, Northern Ireland
Carrickfergus is a Norman coastal town in County Antrim, Northern Ireland, stretching along the northern shore of Belfast Lough. Medieval stone walls surround the old quarter, while the deep water harbor provides direct access to the Irish Sea.
Anglo-Norman knight John de Courcy began building the castle in 1177 and made the settlement the capital of the Earldom of Ulster. For centuries it remained a military stronghold, contested multiple times between English, Scottish and Irish forces.
The name Carrickfergus comes from the Irish language and means "rock of Fergus", referring to a 6th-century king who drowned here. Irish traveling musicians still perform the folk song of the same name in local pubs and at festivals along the waterfront.
Three railway stations link the town to Belfast, with trains running every 30 minutes and taking about 25 minutes for the journey. Walking along the harbor promenade offers open views of the castle and the lough.
The passenger liner RMS Titanic anchored overnight off the coast in April 1912 before beginning its final voyage. Thousands of residents gathered on the shore to watch the ship leave through the lough.
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