Standing on a rocky spur on the northern shore of Belfast Lough, Carrickfergus Castle dominates all approaches to the town. John de Courcy, the Anglo-Norman baron who conquered much of Ulster, started building it about 1178 and it remained fully garrisoned for 750 years until 1928. Now preserved as an ancient monument, it is open to the public and remains an iconic symbol of the town. More about Carrickfergus here >