Carrickfergus Marina
Encyclopedia
Carrickfergus Waterfront is an area of Carrickfergus
Carrickfergus
Carrickfergus , known locally and colloquially as "Carrick", is a large town in County Antrim, Northern Ireland. It is located on the north shore of Belfast Lough, from Belfast. The town had a population of 27,201 at the 2001 Census and takes its name from Fergus Mór mac Eirc, the 6th century king...

 situated on the north shore of Belfast Lough
Belfast Lough
Belfast Lough is a large, natural intertidal sea lough at the mouth of the River Lagan on the east coast of Northern Ireland. The inner part of the lough comprises a series of mudflats and lagoons. The outer lough is restricted to mainly rocky shores with some small sandy bays...

, which includes two harbour facilities, several restaurants and bars and promenade areas.

The waterfront area is mainly composed of two harbour facilities, a harbour and a marina. Both harbours feature rugged rubble stone breakwaters
Breakwater (structure)
Breakwaters are structures constructed on coasts as part of coastal defence or to protect an anchorage from the effects of weather and longshore drift.-Purposes of breakwaters:...

, absorbing energy from heavy swells.

Carrickfergus Harbour

The harbour is a 12th century Norman
Norman architecture
About|Romanesque architecture, primarily English|other buildings in Normandy|Architecture of Normandy.File:Durham Cathedral. Nave by James Valentine c.1890.jpg|thumb|200px|The nave of Durham Cathedral demonstrates the characteristic round arched style, though use of shallow pointed arches above the...

 harbour, made during the construction of Carrickfergus Castle
Carrickfergus Castle
Carrickfergus Castle is a Norman castle in Northern Ireland, situated in the town of Carrickfergus in County Antrim, on the northern shore of Belfast Lough. Besieged in turn by the Scots, Irish, English and French, the castle played an important military role until 1928 and remains one of the best...

, built in 1127. It is split into two sections, the larger section being closer to the mouth of the harbour and the smaller inner section being used primarily for less frequently used boats, and featuring a slipway
Slipway
A slipway, boat slip or just a slip, is a ramp on the shore by which ships or boats can be moved to and from the water. They are used for building and repairing ships and boats. They are also used for launching and retrieving small boats on trailers and flying boats on their undercarriage. The...

. The promenade from the castle grounds to the other side of the harbour was refurbished during 2008/2009 along with the promenade along the Marine Highway.

The harbour features a 258 metre quay which is a popular area for fishing and short leisurely walks (especially in the case of tourists to the town).

Carrickfergus Marina

200 metres west of the harbour is Carrickfergus Marina, a purpose-built marina basin opened in 1985.

It provides 300 berths, is professionally supervised and offers individual access to water and electricity. Fuel services are at hand and the complex also provides lifting equipment.

The Marina is located in a hub of activity close to a modern complex accommodating restaurants, a children's play facility/park, a six-screen cinema, a Sainsburys supermarket, a sailing club
Carrickfergus Sailing Club
Carrickfergus Sailing Club is located in Carrickfergus, Northern Ireland on the north shore of Belfast Lough.The club was originally founded in 1866....

 and The Windrose - a popular bar/restaurant overlooking the marina.

During 2004/2005 the "Harbour Point" was built in the area between the harbour and marina. The building features a restaurant as well as a bar/lounge on the ground floor and a popular nightclub on the floor above. In the same time period several other establishments were built surrounding the harbour, including Brewer's Fayre, a family restaurant specialising in seafood, and a Premier Inn.
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