CARRICKFER'GIIS, a seaport t. of Ireland, is situated on the lough of Belfast, about 10 m. distant from the town of that name. Though locally within the co. of Antrim, it forms a co. of itself. C. extends nearly a mile along the north-western shore of the lough. Its chief feature is its castle, a fine picturesque object, supposed to have been erected by De Courey in the 12th century. It is situated on a rock about 30 ft. high, projecting boldly into the sea, by which it is surrounded on three sides. The bal lium or keep is 90 ft. in height. From the top of the keep a splendid view is obtained, extending, in a clear atmosphere, to the Mourne mountains and the Scotch coast. The castle contains a barrack, bomb-proof magazine, and ordnance store-rooms; and for many years, 22 pieces of ordnance, 12-pounders, were mounted on the works. A total change has, however, been made in the defense of the castle, and cannon of a very large caliber are now mounted,•in order to command the entrance of the lough. lu 1575, a wall 16 ft. high and 7 thick, with 7 bastions, to surround the town, was commenced, and com pleted in the year 1608; a considerable portion of the wall is still standing, and one of the 4 entrance-gates. On the 14th June, 1690, king William III. landed here with his army, 12 days before the battle of the Boyne. The rock on which the king stepped on landing is at the end of the quay, projecting from it. and still forming the landing place. In 1760, commodore Tliurot capture f the castle, but on the approach of troops from Belfast, was forced to abandon it. The parish church, said to have been founded in the year 1164, on the site of a pagan temple, is a fine old building, dedicated to St.
Nicholas. There are several other churches and chapels in the town., and several good day and Sunday schools in connection with the religious bodies, and a fine model school has been erected by the national board. There is a literary and scientific society, with reading-room, library, and museum. The fishery of the bay, which is famous for oysters of an unusual size, employs a good number of the inhabitants. There are four spinning-mills, one for weaving linen, one bleaching establishment, a starch manufac tory, and a tan-yard. A market is held every Monday and Saturday, and a fair twice a year. Pop. '71, 9,397. The town returns one member to parliament. There are several barrows or tumuli in the vicinity. C. is connected by railway with Bel fast, Portrush, and Larne. A few years since, a shaft was opened by the marquis of Downshire, in the hope of finding coal—without success; but salt of a superior quality, and in great abundance, was found. A company has been formed, and are working the mine. The length and breadth of the co. are nearly equal—about 5 statute miles.
a t. of Tipperary, situated, as its name implies, on the Suir, which is navigable at this point, 12 m. e. of of Clonmel, in the midst of very fine scen ery. Pop. '71, 7,792. C. was formerly celebrated for its woolen manufacture, which has recently been considerably revived, and there are also linen and flax factories. It exports much agricultural produce. The town has recently much improved. C. became a place of note soon after the Norman conquest. There are the remains of a castle built in 1309, on the site of an old priory of the knights of St. John of Jerusalem.