Belfast Metropolitan Area Plan 2015
District Proposals: Carrickfergus Tourism

The Regional Development Strategy (RDS) Spatial Framework identifies the potential of Carrickfergus as a heritage Town with the Castle and the Marina identified as key assets representing opportunities for waterfront development.

Carrickfergus is Northern Ireland’s oldest port with trading contacts dating from medieval times and is the tourism gateway to the Borough. The historic Walled Town, with its 12th century Castle, St Nicolas’s Church, attractive sea front setting and marina/harbour area are the primary attractions, while its location in close proximity to the wider Belfast area offers immense potential for the sharing of tourism facilities.

The Town has a unique ambience resulting from its proximity to Belfast Lough. Its location on the Lough Shore offers the potential to attract visitors on route to the major tourism attractions and destinations of the North Coast. The Antrim Coast Road offers opportunities for touring facilities and there is potential to expand on the day trip market especially for angling, cruising and to further develop the Lough shore’s water sports facilities.

The Town provides opportunities for sustainable leisure and tourism development based around linking the 300 berth ‘Friendly Marina’ to the Town Centre and to the magnificent Norman Castle. Major events will continue to play a key role in the development of the town’s tourism and leisure potential with a range of prestigious events including the annual Waterfront Festival and ‘Classic Sail’ sailing event and the Ultra 30 Grand Prix finals. The University of Ulster campus, located just 3 miles along the road from the waterfront provides accommodation for up to 700 people during the summer months.

The historic Castle and features of architectural heritage within the Town Centre such as the Town Hall, Gasworks Museum and Town Walls offer potential for tourism related development which respects the Conservation Area, views of the Castle and the Belfast Lough shoreline. Recent environmental improvement schemes along the Marine Highway Promenade and Gardens, the Castle Green and Albert Edward (East) Pier, the King William Pier, the Marina Promenade and Legg Park have transformed the entire waterfront and success in the Ulster In Bloom award has brought prestige and increased environmental attractiveness. The tourism assets of the Town are complemented by those in the surrounding countryside and coast.

The area’s wildlife is an additional attraction for the visitor and enthusiast. Seals bask off-shore between Castlerocklands and Greenisland, while an impressive range of bird life is found along the coastline including Long Tailed Duck, Eider Duck and numerous and Waders.

The key challenge is to secure the economic benefits of tourism development while conserving the assets of the natural and built environment which provide the basis of the visitor attractions. The Plan Proposals aim to promote new development in the historic core and to achieve a high quality of design which is sensitive to the traditional appearance which will improve the physical appearance of the Town Centre to visitors and shoppers alike.

Proposals for visitor infrastructure such as centres for activity breaks, cruising and water sports facilities and accommodation, including hotel developments will be considered favourably within the Town including within the Town Centre Development Opportunity Sites.