Carrickfergus

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Carrickfergus is a large town in Southeastern County Antrim, Northern Ireland. It had a population of 27,201 people in the 2001 Census. The town is the administrative centre for Carrickfergus Borough Council.

It is County Antrim's oldest town. It lies about 6 miles (9.7 km) from the ancient village of Straid. The town is the subject of a classic Irish folk song, beginning with the words, "I wish I was in ."

Carrickfergus stands on the north shore of Belfast Lough and is home to the 12th century Carrickfergus Castle, one of the best-preserved Norman castles in Ireland. It was built around 1180 by John de Courcy. The church of St. Nicholas also dates from the late 12th century.
Wikipedia article: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carrickfergus
Nearby cities:
Coordinates:   54°43'18"N   5°48'11"W

Comments

  • The song is actually about a Southern Irish town of the same name, not the one where I lived for 17 years. But it is the birthplace of famous Ulster poet Louis MacNeice) as well as having the oldest castle in the British Isles.
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