Editing Carrickfergus (section)

==History==
[[File:DV405 no.228 Castle of Carrickfergus.png|thumb|Castle and dock of Carrickfergus in 1830]]

===Middle Ages===
The town is said to take its name from [[Fergus Mór mac Eirc|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.<ref name="CarrickfergusHistory-MediævalTimes"/>

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.<ref name="CarrickfergusHistory"/><ref name="CarrickfergusHistory-MediævalTimes">[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.</ref>

Carrickfergus became an inhabited town shortly after 1170, when [[Anglo-Normans|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.<ref name="AHistoryOfCarrickfergus">{{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}}</ref> The castle, which is the most prominent landmark of Carrickfergus, is widely known as one of the best-preserved [[Normans|Norman]] castles in [[Ireland]].<ref>{{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}}</ref>

Sometime between 1203 and 1205, De Courcy was expelled from Ulster by [[Hugh de Lacy, 1st Earl of Ulster|Hugh de Lacy]], as authorised by [[John, King of England|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.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Duffy |first1=Sean |title=Robert the Bruce's Irish Wars |date=2002 |publisher=Tempus Publishing |pages=23, 39}}</ref> The town was largely destroyed by the Scots in 1402.<ref name="CarrickfergusHistory-MediævalTimes" /><ref name="AHistoryOfCarrickfergus"/>

===Early modern era===
The [[Battle of Carrickfergus (1597)|Battle of Carrickfergus]], part of the [[Nine Years War (Ireland)|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 [[Clan Donald|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.<ref>{{cite book|last=O'Neill, B (ed).|year=2002|title=Irish Castles and Historic Houses|publisher=Caxton Editions|location=London, UK|page=14}}</ref>

[[File:CARRICKFERGUS CASTLE 113.jpg|thumb|270px|left|A drawing of [[Carrickfergus Castle]] circa 1840.]]
[[Arthur Chichester, 1st Baron Chichester|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 Ulster|plantation]] of English and Scottish peoples in the town, as well as the building of the town wall.<ref name="CarrickfergusHistory-1500sBeyond">[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.</ref>

[[File:Plaque at Carrickfergus harbour - geograph.org.uk - 221331.jpg|thumb|A plaque at the harbour commemorates the landing of [[William III of England|William of Orange]] in the town in 1690.]]
Nevertheless, the decaying castle withstood [[Siege of Carrickfergus (1689)|several days of siege]] by the forces of [[William III of England|William of Orange]] in 1689, before surrendering on 28 August. William himself subsequently landed at Carrickfergus on 14 June 1690.<ref>{{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}}</ref>
[[File:St Nicholas' Church, Carrickfergus.jpg|thumb|St Nicholas' Church in the town of Carrickfergus]]
During the [[Seven Years' War]], in February 1760, the whole town [[Battle of Carrickfergus (1760)|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 [[Witch-hunt|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]].<ref>{{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}}</ref>

In April 1778, during the [[American War of Independence]], [[John Paul Jones]], in command of the American ship ''[[USS Ranger (1777)|Ranger]]'', attempted to capture a [[Kingdom of Great Britain|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 (British Isles)|North Channel]] which the [[North Channel naval duel|Americans won decisively]].<ref>"USS Ranger". Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships. 2003. Retrieved 9 January 2012</ref><ref>"He Bought HMS Drake". Seacoast New Hampshire. 2012. Retrieved 9 January 2012.</ref>

During the 1790s there was considerable support in the Carrickfergus area for the [[United Irishmen]].<ref name="Brief History of Carrickfergus">{{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}}</ref> On 14 October 1797 [[William Orr (United Irishman)|William Orr]] was hanged in the town following what was widely regarded as a show trial held in [[Carrickfergus Town Hall|Carrickfergus Courthouse]]<ref name=" Speeches from the Dock by D. B. Sullivan, 1886">{{Cite web|url=https://www.libraryireland.com/articles/WilliamOrrSpeechesDock/index.php|title=William Orr – Speech from the Dock|website=libraryireland.com}}</ref> (now the Town Hall<ref name="DOENI">{{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}}</ref>) and in 1798 United Irish founder [[Henry Joy McCracken]] was captured on the outskirts of the town while trying to escape to America.<ref name="Ulster History Circle">{{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}}</ref>

===Modern era===
[[File:Town of Carrickfergus, 1835 (IA jstor-30004300) (page 1 crop).jpg|thumb|Town of Carrickfergus, 1835, ''[[Dublin Penny Journal]]'']]
In 1912 the people of Carrickfergus turned out in their thousands to watch as the {{RMS|Titanic}} made its first ever journey up the [[Belfast Lough|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.<ref name="CarrickfergusHistory-Recent">[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.</ref>
[[File:Carrickfergus Castle 2020.jpg|thumb|View of Carrickfergus Castle from the dock, June 2020.]]
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 [[United States Army Rangers|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.<ref name="CarrickfergusHistory-Recent"/> 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.<ref>{{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}}</ref>

In the 1970s, the town became an important centre for the [[textile]] industry. An [[Imperial Chemical Industries|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.<ref>{{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}}</ref>

In 1981, [[Kilroot power station]] opened and is the largest power station in [[Northern Ireland]].<ref>{{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 }}</ref>

On 8 September 2007, Carrickfergus was the Northern Irish host for the ''[[The Proms|Last Night at the Proms]]'', featuring [[Alison Balsom]], [[Alfie Boe]], and Ulster conductor [[Kenneth Montgomery]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b008m69j|title=Proms in the Park|publisher=BBC|access-date=30 April 2021}}</ref>

The British peerage title of [[Baron Carrickfergus]], which had become extinct in 1883, was bestowed upon [[Prince William, Duke of Cambridge|Prince William]] on his [[Wedding of Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, and Catherine Middleton|wedding day]] in 2011.<ref>{{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.}}</ref> He visited the town with [[Catherine, Princess of Wales]] in October 2022.<ref>{{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 }}</ref>

====The Troubles====
Throughout the course of [[The Troubles]], there was a [[paramilitary]] presence in the town, namely the [[Ulster Volunteer Force (1966)|Ulster Volunteer Force]] and [[Ulster Defence Association]].<ref name="carrickparish.org">{{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}}</ref> Census figures show that the Catholic population of Carrickfergus declined from 16.2% in 1971 to 9.56% in 2011.<ref>[http://cain.ulst.ac.uk/ni/popul.htm Census data], cain.ulst.ac.uk; accessed 24 September 2015.</ref>