CARRICKFERGUS

In 1868, the parish of Carrickfergus contained the following places:

"CARRICKFERGUS, a parish and market town, seaport, and parliamentary borough, forming a county of itself, locally in the county of Antrim, province of Ulster, Ireland, 10 miles to the N.E. of Belfast, and 110 miles to the N. of Dublin. It is situated on the north-western shore of Belfast Lough, and is connected with the Belfast and Northern Counties railway by a short branch line. Carrickfergus ("rock of Fergus") is a town of great antiquity, and the site of a noble castle, founded probably about 1200 by one of the De Courcys, but which soon after came into the possession of the De Lacys. It holds an important place in the history of the country, and has been the scene of many important transactions. Invited by the De Lacys, who had been expelled by the English, Edward Bruce laid siege to the castle in 1315, and took it; but being soon after defeated and killed, the castle was recovered by its former owners. In 1333 this place was taken and held for a short time by the O'Nials. It was burnt by the Scots in 1386, and again partly destroyed in 1400. But the English remained in possession of the castle, and towards the end of the 16th century a stone wall of great strength was built round the town, which was further defended by a moat and seven towers. The town was at that time greatly reduced in population and prosperity, but began to recover itself under the shelter of its new fortifications. Fresh harassments and frequent vicissitudes make up its history during the civil war of the 17th century. Colonel Arthur Chichester was governor of the town when the war broke out. In 1642 the castle was occupied by the Scotch under General Munroe, who held it till 1648, when General Monk succeeded him. After several other changes of possession, it was taken in August, 1689, by Schomberg for William III. The king himself landed here in the following year, on his way to take the command in the campaign terminated by the battle of the Boyne. The quiet of the town was not again disturbed by any occurrences of historical importance until a body of French, under General Thurot, attacked and took possession of it in February, 1760. They retained possession only for a few days. In April, 1778, the adventurer, Paul Jones, in an American vessel, captured a British war-ship off this town. The town extends about a mile along the Lough, and has several good streets, the houses being mostly built of stone. A large part of the walls still stand, but of the four gates only one is left. The trade of the town is of no great importance. Some of the inhabitants are employed in the flax and cotton mills and in the tanneries; but the fisheries form the principal occupation of the people. A small coasting trade is carried on, coal, iron, and timber being the chief imports, and cattle and grain the exports. The port is subordinate to that of Belfast. The harbour is formed by a small pier. There are a townhall, court-house, market-house, and custom-house. Carrickfergus is a borough by prescription, and is said to have been made a county of itself by King John. The corporation, styled the "mayor, sheriff, burgesses, and commonalty of the town of Carrickfergus," is superseded by a board of commissioners, to whom the local government is entrusted. The borough returned two members to parliament until the Union, since which it has returned one member. The limits of the parliamentary borough are the same as those of the parish and the county of the town. Carrickfergus was formerly the county town of Antrim, but the assizes and other county business have been transferred to Belfast. Quarter and petty sessions are held here, and there are police and coastguard stations. The town is frequented as a watering-place. The living is a rectory in the diocese of Down, Connor, and Dromore, value with several other benefices united, 1704, in the patronage of the crown. The church, which stands on an elevated spot, is dedicated to St. Nicholas. It is a very old building in the form of a cross, with a tower and spire, erected about 1780, and has a monument of the Chichesters, and a stained east window added in 1800. There is a handsome chapel belonging to the Presbyterians, and others to the Independents, Wesleyans, and Covenanters. There are two free schools, one of which has an endowment; 14 almshouses for old men, endowed by Henry Gill in 1761, and several other charities. The castle, which is in good preservation, stands on the S. side of the town, on a rock projecting into the sea. The walls are 9 feet thick, and the entrance is between two semicircular towers. The space enclosed consists of an upper and lower yard, in the former of which stands the keep, a square structure 90 feet in height, now serving as an armoury. Here are barracks, and extensive military stores. The magazine is bomb-proof, and the battery consists of about 20 guns. There is a fine prospect from the top of the keep. The site of the old monastery is occupied by the court-house and gaol. Near the town, on the W. side, was formerly the priory of Woodburn, or Goodburn, of which there are no ruins. The Spittal Parks, on the E. side, were the site of an ancient hospital. In the neighbourhood are many tumuli, and several mineral springs. The town is divided into the Irish and Scotch quarters; the former being the western and the latter the eastern section: these designations arose from circumstances occurring in the 17th century. Carrickfergus was the birthplace of Bishop Tenison. Near the town is Lough Mourne, which lies at an elevation of 556 feet above the level of the sea. The neighbourhood has several hamlets, and many scats of the gentry, among which are Thornfield, Oakfield, Glynn Park, &c. Saturday is the market day. Fairs are held on the 12th May and 1st November."

"EDEN, a town in the parish and barony of Carrickfergus, county Antrim, province of Ulster, Ireland, 2 miles N.E. of Carrickfergus. It is situated on the road to Larne. There are several seats of this name-one near Naran, county Donegal, another near Newry, county Down."

[Transcribed from The National Gazetteer of Great Britain and Ireland 1868]
by Colin Hinson ©2018