CARRICKFERGUS, k5r`iik•fWgiis ( r., Rock of Fergus, named after Fergus A seaport town of Ireland, on Belfast Lough, 10 miles north-northeast of Belfast (Alap: Ireland, 2). Though within the county of Antrim. it forms of itself the county of the town of Carrick fergus, about 25 square miles in extent. Carriek fergus extends nearly a mile_ along the north western shore of the lough. The fishery of the bay, which is famous for oysters of an unusual size, employs a large number of the inhabitants. Salt of superior quality and in great almndance is mined. There are spinning-mills. bleaching estaldishments, and manufaetures of linen and cotton fabrics. Its chief feature is the ph. turesque castle, erected by De Courcy in the Twelfth Century, on a rock about 30 feet high, orojecting boldly into the sea, by which it is surrounded on three sides. The ballium or keep is 00 feet in height. From the summit a splendid view is obtained, extending, in a clear atmosphere. to the Alourne Jlountains and the Scotch coast. The castle contains a barrack, bombproof magazine. ordnance storerooms, and cannon of large calibre command the entrance of the lough. A considerable portion of the
town wall, completed in 160S, is still standing, as well as one of the four entrance gates. On June 14, 1600, King William 111. landed here with his army. The rock on which the King stepped in landing is at the end of the quay, pro jecting from it. and still forms the lauding-place. in 1760 Commodore Thurot captured the castle, hot, on the approach of troops from Belfast, was forced to abandon it. Paul Jones, in ]77S, cap tured the Drake war-sloop in the bay. but left the town unmolested. The parish church, found ed in 1164, on the site of a pagan temple, is a fine old building. dedicated to Saint Nicholas. There is a literary and scientific society, with reading-room. library, and museum. There are several barrows or tumuli in the vicinity. Population, about 9000, about one-half of it be longing to the urban district. Consult S. Mae Skimin, History and Antiquities of Carrickfergus (Belfast, 1811).