Carrickfergus, Co Antrim: Catholic Soldiers Welcomed in a Protestant Town

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On the eve of World War One, Carrickfergus was the most important settlement on the north shore of Belfast Lough. It was a barracks town, home to a unit of the Royal Garrison Artillery. It also had an ordnance survey depot, and a recently opened infantry camp called Sunnylands. When war broke out, Carrickfergus was essential to the defence of Belfast Lough and the city itself. More soldiers arrived in the town, including the 4th battalion of Royal Irish Fusiliers. This unit contained men from Cavan and Monaghan, who were mainly Catholic. They were stationed in Carrickfergus, which had a predominantly Protestant population, to support the artillery units at Kilroot and Greypoint forts. Historian Philip Orr has studied the effect these new soldiers had on Carrickfergus. Location: Carrickfergus, BT38 7AF Image of Bell’s Corner in Carrickfergus Image courtesy of Carrickfergus Borough