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EuropeUnited KingdomNorthern Ireland

Carrickfergus

Northern Ireland, United Kingdom · Europe

About Carrickfergus

Carrickfergus works well as a base: 10 minutes from Greenisland, 56km from Tollymore Forest Park.

Carrickfergus is a town located in Northern Ireland, United Kingdom. With a population of 29,208, it is an important destination in Europe.

On a road trip, Carrickfergus sits in United Kingdom, where you drive on the left. It's in the Europe/London time zone. Below you'll find where to stay, things to do nearby, and everything you need to add Carrickfergus to your route.

About Carrickfergus

Carrickfergus (from Irish Carraig Fhearghais [ˌkaːɾˠəɟ ˈaɾˠɣəʃ], meaning "Fergus' rock") is a large town in County Antrim, Northern Ireland. It sits on the north shore of Belfast Lough, 11 miles (18 km) from Belfast. The town had a population of 28,141 at the 2021 census. It is County Antrim's oldest town and one of

Read more the oldest towns in Ireland as a whole. Carrickfergus Castle, built in the late 12th century at the behest of Anglo-Norman knight John de Courcy, was the capital of the Earldom of Ulster. After the earldom's collapse, it remained the only English outpost in Ulster for the next four centuries. Carrickfergus was the administrative centre for Carrickfergus Borough Council, before this was amalgamated into the Mid and East Antrim District Council in 2015, and forms part of the Belfast Metropolitan Area. It is also a townland of 65 acres, a civil parish and a barony.

Read more on Wikipedia

Where to Stay in Carrickfergus

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Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best things to do in Carrickfergus?

Carrickfergus offers many attractions including tourist sites, museums, parks, and local restaurants. Explore famous landmarks, scenic roads, and natural wonders on our interactive map and plan your visit.

How do I plan a road trip to Carrickfergus?

Plan your road trip to Carrickfergus with Plan Your Road Trips! Add Carrickfergus as a destination, and we'll help you find the best route and discover more amazing places along the way.

Where is Carrickfergus located?

Carrickfergus is located in Northern Ireland, United Kingdom, Europe. The coordinates are 54.7158 latitude, -5.8058 longitude.

What is the population of Carrickfergus?

Carrickfergus has a population of approximately 29,208 people, making it a town in United Kingdom.

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Quick Information

Population
29,208
Continent
Europe
Country
United Kingdom
Region
Northern Ireland
Timezone
Europe/London
Coordinates
54.7158, -5.8058

Emergency & Services

Essential numbers in United Kingdom

Police
999
Ambulance
999
Fire
999
Non-emergency police
101
Driving side
left

112 also works. NHS non-emergency medical advice: 111. National Highways breakdown assistance on motorways: 0300 123 5000.

Full driving guide for United Kingdom

Tags

EuropeUnited KingdomNorthern IrelandTown

Worth the detour from Carrickfergus

8 notable places within an hour's drive.

museum

Ulster Transport Museum

Major transport museum at Cultra near Belfast, home to a gull-winged DeLorean DMC-12 built just miles away, Irish-built cars, locomotives and a renowned Titanic exhibition.

7 km · about 15 min drive

scenic viewpoint

The Gobbins

A dramatic Edwardian cliff-path of bridges and tunnels clinging to the basalt cliffs of Islandmagee.

9 km · about 15 min drive

historic highway

Craigantlet Hillclimb

A hillclimb on public roads in the hills above Belfast, running since 1946 and closed to traffic only on event days. The narrow climb gives long views over Belfast Lough.

11 km · about 20 min drive

museum

Titanic Belfast

World-leading visitor attraction in a striking angular building on the exact spot where RMS Titanic was designed, built and launched in 1912.

14 km · about 25 min drive

historic highway

Dundrod Circuit

A 11.9km loop of Northern Irish country lanes still used for the Ulster Grand Prix motorcycle races, with jumps, stone walls and hedges inches from the racing line. Open public roads the rest of the year.

23 km · about 25 min drive

coastal drive

Antrim Coast Road

A breathtaking coastal drive hugging cliffs and beaches from Larne past the Glens of Antrim toward the Causeway.

42 km · about 50 min drive

national park

Tollymore Forest Park

Northern Ireland's first state forest park at the foot of the Mourne Mountains, with Gothic arches, ancient trees and Game of Thrones filming locations.

56 km · about 65 min drive

coastal drive

Torr Head Scenic Route

White-knuckle single-track coastal road off the main Causeway route between Ballycastle and Cushendun, clinging to steep headlands at Torr Head where Scotland's Mull of Kintyre looms just 12 miles across the sea.

56 km · about 65 min drive

Driving roads near Carrickfergus

  • Right hereThe GobbinsA dramatic Edwardian cliff-path of bridges and tunnels clinging to the basalt cliffs of Islandmagee.
  • Right hereCraigantlet HillclimbA hillclimb on public roads in the hills above Belfast, running since 1946 and closed to traffic only on event days. The narrow climb gives long views over Belfast Lough.
  • 23 kmDundrod CircuitA 11.9km loop of Northern Irish country lanes still used for the Ulster Grand Prix motorcycle races, with jumps, stone walls and hedges inches from the racing line. Open public roads the rest of the year.
  • 42 kmAntrim Coast RoadA breathtaking coastal drive hugging cliffs and beaches from Larne past the Glens of Antrim toward the Causeway.
  • 56 kmTorr Head Scenic RouteWhite-knuckle single-track coastal road off the main Causeway route between Ballycastle and Cushendun, clinging to steep headlands at Torr Head where Scotland's Mull of Kintyre looms just 12 miles across the sea.
  • 56 kmTorr Head Coast RoadA steep single-track detour off the Causeway Coastal Route in Antrim, with views across to the Mull of Kintyre.

Driving in United Kingdom

Drives on
the left
Petrol
~€1.73/litre
Motorway tolls
None

When to drive here

April to October

Nearby Destinations

Other places to explore near Carrickfergus.

Greenisland

🇬🇧 United Kingdom

5 km awayPop. 5,073

Jordanstown

🇬🇧 United Kingdom

7 km awayPop. 5,494

Whitehead

🇬🇧 United Kingdom

7 km awayPop. 3,697

Holywood

🇬🇧 United Kingdom

9 km awayPop. 13,109

Newtownabbey

🇬🇧 United Kingdom

9 km awayPop. 63,860

Carnmoney

🇬🇧 United Kingdom

10 km awayPop. 2,775

Bangor

🇬🇧 United Kingdom

11 km awayPop. 61,011

Ballyclare

🇬🇧 United Kingdom

13 km awayPop. 9,472

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Data sources:GeoNames (CC BY 4.0)•Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA)•Mapbox•Photography: George Lawrence