Carrickfergus Castle to remain closed as majority of monuments get set to reopen

Carrickfergus Castle, where a £1 million conservation project to construct a new roof was unveiled earlier this year, is on a list of six historic sites in Northern Ireland that remain closed to the public for the time being.

Completion of the work on the 800-year-old stronghold along with a £600,000 public realm scheme, which included the installation of new footways, lighting and street furniture in the Antrim Street and Lancasterian Street areas, were trumpeted as key components of promoting the Co Antrim town as the gateway to the Causeway Coastal Route.

Communities Minister Deirdre Hargey yesterday (Tuesday) announced the majority of State Care Monuments - the department’s Historic Environment Division (HED) manages 190 - will reopen to the public from Thursday.

Most of the sites – excluding those which have significant amounts of indoor space or which present particular safety or public health challenges – will be open for access, along with car parks, the department explained.

However, facilities including toilets, visitor centres, cafes and shops will remain closed in line with public health requirements.

Minister Hargey said: “From May 28 members of the public will once again be able to enjoy the beauty and history of dozens of outdoor spaces managed by my department’s Historic Environment Division.

“I recognise how hard the restrictions have been and the impact that has had on people’s physical and mental health. However, it would be remiss of me not to remind the public that we have not yet emerged from the Covid-19 crisis.

“It is vital that people continue to socially distance, wash their hands and not become complacent as restrictions begin to be lift. Please enjoy these beautiful spaces, take care of them and dispose of your litter carefully or take it home with you.”

Other sites which remain closed to the public include Dunluce Castle, Devenish Island, Scrabo Tower, Dundrum Castle and Grey Abbey.

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