The castle was taken by the French Commodore Thurôt with three ships of war in 1760, but his squadron was captured a few days later by the English fleet.
In 1797 the United Irishmen laid a plot to seize the castle, which was discovered by one of the garrison turning informer.
The year after the rebellion State prisoners were confined at Carrickfergus, having been sent from Belfast. At one time the fortress was used as a prison for all Antrim.
In 1814 a small square tower on the south side was taken down and rebuilt.
The castle is now in the possession of the Crown.
| Authorities Consulted. |
| State Papers. |
| Russell and Prendergast, Preface to State Papers. |
| Parliamentary Gazetteer. |
| M. Haverty, “History of Ireland.” |
| Belfast Naturalists’ Field Club Guide. |
| S. M’Skimin, “History of Carrickfergus.” |
| Calendar of Patent Rolls. |
| Sweetman, Calendar of Documents. |
| Carew MSS. |
| “Notes on a Plan of Carrickfergus.” |
| J. Bell, “Origin of the Name of Carrickfergus” (Ulster Journal of Archæology). |
CARRICK-ON-SUIR CASTLE.