Carrickfergus Castle
Started 1180 by John de Courcy, conqueror of east Ulster, and garrisoned until 1928, this is a striking feature of the landscape from land, sea and air. Carrickfergus Castle greets all visitors with its strength and menace. It represents over 800 years of military might. Besieged in turn by the Scots, Irish, English and French, the Castle saw action right up to World War II.
Exhibition on the castle’s history, audio-visual.
Shop.
Wheelchair access limited.
Unaccompanied children under 16 cannot be admitted.
PricesPrice £3, child/SC £1.50, family £8.
Children under 4 years old free.
Opening timesOpen April-Sept: Mon-Sat 10 am-6 pm; Sun (April-May, Sept) 2-6 pm, Sun (June-Aug) noon-6 pm;
Oct-March: Mon-Sat 10 am-4 pm, Sun 2-4 pm.
Last admission 30 mins beforeclosing.
Rowallane Garden
Noted for its magnificent rhododendrons and azaleas, rare trees, shrubs and plants.
The house on the estate is the National Trust's headquarters in Northern Ireland. The house was inherited in 1903 by Hugh Armitage Moore, a distinguished plantsman who spent the next half-century creating and working in the 50 acre garden. Two hundred feet above sea level, the garden is encircled by a windbreak of Australian laurels, hollies, pines and beech trees.
Disabled parking
2 manual wheelchairs available (booking essential).
Tearoom ring for opening times.
Opening timesOpen 16 April-18 Sept 10am-8pm daily. 19 Sept-14 April (2006): 10am-4pm daily. Closed 25 & 26 Dec and 1 Jan.
Entrance charge. Tel: (028) 9751 0131.
Email:
rowallane@nationaltrust.org.uk
www.ntni.org.uk