Carrickfergus Castle
| Carrickfergus Castle | ||
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| Data | ||
| place | Carrickfergus | |
| Client | John de Courcy | |
| Construction year | 1177-1195 | |
| Coordinates | 54 ° 42 '47.9 " N , 5 ° 48' 23.2" W | |
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Carrickfergus Castle ( Irish Caisleán Charraig Fhearghais ) is in Norman architecture built castle in Northern Ireland Carrickfergus .
location
The castle is not far from the center of Carrickfergus on the north bank of Lough Belfast . In earlier times it was 3/4 surrounded by water. The Carrickfergus railway station is within walking about five minutes away. From there, Northern Ireland Railways trains run west to Belfast and east to Whitehead and Larne .
history
The castle was built by John de Courcy in 1177 . After conquering the eastern part of Ulster in the same year , he settled here and ruled until 1204. Then he was driven out by Hugh de Lacy . The building is first mentioned in English records in 1210. At that time, King Johann Ohneland besieged the castle and finally conquered it. He appointed security guards to manage the facility and the surrounding area. Although the title of Earl of Ulster was no longer awarded from 1333, Carrickfergus Castle remained the main seat of the English king in the north of Ireland and an important administrative seat. In the early stages of the Nine Years' War , when English influence continued to decline in the northern part of Ireland, the English soldiers were supplied with supplies via the port of Carrickfergus. In 1597 the battle of Carrickfergus took place in the immediate vicinity of the castle .
In 1690 Friedrich von Schomberg captured the castle, so that Wilhelm III. was able to land here for the first time on June 14, 1690. In 1760, French troops led by François Thurot stormed the city, sacked the castle and then fled. A little later, however, they were provided by the Royal Navy . The building served as a prison several times in its history, but was officially used as such for the first time from 1797. During the coalition wars, prisoners of war were housed here. It then served as an arsenal for a good century . During the First World War , the facility was used as a garrison. In addition, it served as a storage room for the catering order . In 1928 the castle passed from the British Army to the Government of Northern Ireland. During the Second World War it was used as an air raid shelter . Today the castle is open to the public.
architecture
John de Courcy built the complex as a moth on a rock spike. It was surrounded by a high polygonal curtain wall. A gate was set in the eastern part of the wall. The castle consisted of several buildings, including a knight's hall . It is believed that a room on the first floor of the east tower served as a chapel . The Romanesque windows are still there today . The star vault in the entrance area, the murder hole and the portcullis at the gatehouse were all commissioned by Hugh de Lacey, who, however, did not see their completion. In 1217 a constable named de Serlane received 100 pounds from Johann Ohneland for the construction of a new curtain wall to make it difficult to access the castle over the top of the rock and to ensure the defense at low tide . Most of this wall was demolished in the 18th century, but the seaward part has been preserved to this day. There is a postern and the east tower. This has several loopholes for crossbowmen .
Several alterations were made in the 16th and 17th centuries to improve the defense. For example, loopholes for cannons and gun ports were built.
The dining room has been renovated. Today there is an exhibition with various medieval utensils.
