Communities Minister Hosts Normandy Delegation at Carrick Castle

Communities Minister Deirdre Hargey welcomed a delegation from the Normandy Region to Carrickfergus Castle on March 27, 2024. The visit included Hervé Morin, President of the Normandy Region, along with other representatives from the Normandy Council. During their meeting in the Keep of the castle, Minister Hargey presented Morin with a plaque crafted by apprentices from the Conservation Works Team. The plaque features the emblem of the Year of the Normans 2027 in wrought iron, mounted on a base of Scrabo sandstone.

“I am pleased to welcome the Normandy delegation to Carrickfergus Castle, which is one of the best examples of a Norman Castle in Europe,” Minister Hargey expressed. She emphasized the importance of shared heritage across Northern Ireland and Europe, noting it provides a powerful platform for understanding the collective past while creating meaningful opportunities for local communities.

The Minister also highlighted recent investments in her department’s initiatives, including the Northern Ireland Heritage Skills Centre and the State Care Conservation Works Team. These efforts aim to strengthen the skills necessary to sustain State Care Monuments throughout Northern Ireland. “Heritage skills sharing will bring benefits to all of our historic places and people,” Hargey stated.

Upcoming Events for the Year of the Normans

In preparation for the European Year of the Normans 2027, the Department has developed a program featuring various State Care Monuments. Planned highlights include a family fun day at Dundrum Castle, educational walks led by archaeologists at significant Norman sites, and an exhibition titled “Castles, Mottes and Monasteries,” which will draw on the HERoNI archive.

The department is also making strides to ensure accessibility, with inclusive British Sign Language (BSL) tours of several State Care Monuments planned to cater to the deaf community. More details about these events will be released in the summer of 2024.

Significance of Carrickfergus Castle

Established by John de Courcy shortly after his invasion of Ulster in 1177, Carrickfergus Castle has a rich history, having been besieged by Scots, Irish, English, and French forces. Until 1928, it played a crucial military role before transitioning to state care. Today, it stands as one of the best-preserved medieval structures in Ireland.

In recent years, the castle has undergone several refurbishment programs. A notable project involved a £1 million investment to replace the roof of the Great Keep, completed in 2020. The new roof features a historically appropriate open oak truss design, constructed using traditional techniques.

Looking ahead, a further investment of £1.6 million was announced in June 2025 by the Department for Communities for essential conservation work aimed at enhancing the castle’s tourism potential. This project focuses on the castle vaults, officers’ quarters, and sea tower, as well as gate and cannon refurbishment. Additionally, conservation work will also be conducted at the town walls and Gasworks, both of which are monuments in state care.

As part of the Carrickfergus Regeneration Project, which is a component of the broader Belfast Region City Deal, plans are underway to improve accessibility around the castle. A consultation event held in September 2025 proposed adding a new ramp, additional landscaping, tiered seating, and interactive elements to enhance visitor experience.

On February 24, 2026, Mid and East Antrim Borough Council provided an update on the regeneration project, revealing that public feedback indicated “broad support for proposals to improve access to and interpretation of Carrickfergus Castle.” As these plans progress, the collaboration between local communities and international partners like the Normandy delegation signifies a commitment to preserving and celebrating Northern Ireland’s storied heritage.