A large town, a few miles from Belfast on the north shore of Belfast Lough, Carrickfergus boasts one of the best preserved Norman castles in Ireland built around 1180, Carrickfergus Castle. The nearby Church of St. Nicholas also dates from the 12th century. Well-known for it's watersports, the town has a great marina, good sea and fresh-water fishing available locally and good for self catering Carrickfergus.