Carrickfergus Castle

The Irish name Carraig Fhearghais—the Rock of Fergus—derives from carraig (rock) and Fearghais (of Fergus), likely referring to the legendary Fergus Mór, early king of Dál Riata, whose ship supposedly ran aground on the rocky promontory. The castle itself was founded in 1177 by the Norman adventurer John de Courcy, who launched an audacious invasion of Ulster with only 22 knights and 300 foot-s...