CARRICKFERGUS STREET FARMERS MARKET - SATURDAY 31ST MAY, 2008.

Carrickfergus Market: This is a big Summer celebration arranged by the Carrickfergus Chamber of Commerce running down the main street in the centre of the Medieval Town. The Market will be the prime attraction together with live music and competitions, caricatures, balloon making, science shows and craft classes.  Local traders will also be displaying their goods, some with very good offers, to promote their stores. There will be local radio and TV coverage. We are looking for a selection of stalls to provide a traditional Irsh Farmers Market: Food and Craft Stalls, Atesian stalls, Cakes and Scones, Vegitables, Olives, Cheeses, etc. Please email us (info@irishfarmersmarkets.ie) or telephone Sean at 087 6115016

Carrickfergus castle was a key to the Anglo-Norman hold on Ulster, started by John de Courcy, conqueror of Ulster, between about 1180 and his fall in 1204. It was captured by King John after a siege in 1210, and the Middle Ward may date from after that event. The Outer Ward was probably added during Hugh de Lacy's lordship, between 1228 and 1242. During the Edward Bruce invasion the English retreated to Carrickfergus after the battle of Connor, and the castle fell to the Scots in September 1316, after a year's siege. It remained an important residential and administrative centre in the later middle ages but was not involved in warfare. Renewed building activity dates from the 16th century, when alterations were made for defence by and against artillery, but its importance declined and the castle was in disrepair when Schomberg took it for William III in 1690. It was last captured in 1760 by the French commander, Thurot, after a heroic defence by the garrison. After its use as a prison in the 18th century it was further strengthened and served as a magazine and armoury until 1928, whilst the Keep was used as an air-raid shelter in the 1939-45 war. This long and complex history is reflected in the extensive structures which remain..