![]() The most ancient correct plan of Carrickfergus is dated 1550. The original charter of the Guild of Carrickfergus is still kept in the Town Hall along with the freeman's roll, the records, and the sword and mace. A woman stole a purse with fifty shillings and she was executed, but a man who beat a woman with a stick until she died, was found "not guilty." Even in those ancient times law does not appear to have been always justice, and it was decidedly in need of being improved, especially from a woman's point of view. ![]() A man in Belfast stole a piece of iron worth two shillings, a mantle worth six shillings, and a "chizell" worth eightpence, and he was executed. The sinner who used the "cudgill" was lightly punished, but then it was only a woman-not three cows. They must have been poor specimens of men if they were not worth more than three cows or five shillings worth of a bridle. Some of the old laws were very severe, and we find, in the year 1614, before the judges in the Castle, that a man who stole three cows, worth twenty shillings each, was sentenced to be executed, but one, who struck a woman on the head with a "cudgill" so that she died, was only branded on the left arm and delivered to the Ordinary. The scolding stone was still on the quay until a few years ago. History also carefully avoids stating whether this law was equally enforced for men and women, but we may suppose the law was impartial. History does not relate how many "skolds" survived this drastic treatment long enough to also stand in a cage. Such "skolds" were to be drawn at "sterne of boate from Peare round the Castell," and afterwards exposed in a cage which stood on the quay. In October, 1574, the Mayor and the Corporation took very strong measures to put down scolding. There was a grand hunting hill above the city. The country then was alive with game, hare, wild deer and wolf. It was in the thirteenth century that Carrickfergus was a walled city. Long may it remain as a most interesting object. The North Gate is still a picturesque memorial of the old days, but we hope the ancient structure may not fulfil the tradition which says: "The North Gate will stand until a wise man becomes a member of the Corporation." A recent resolution was passed which proves that wise men have now a majority on the Corporation, for they have decided to restore the North Gate. There were four gates-The Glenarm or Spittal Gate-now the North Gate, the Woodburn or West Gate, the Water Gate and the Finey Gate which had battlements on the top. A moat safeguarded the landward side, a deep trench and drawbridge the outer side. The corners were of cut yellow stone, freestone, not found in any place in the neighbourhood. It was eighteen feet high, six feet thick and had seven bastions. This wall was afterwards replaced by stone, part of which is still to be seen. It was built of sods and the inhabitants all joined with alacrity to defend the place from their enemies. ![]() The first wall was built round the city inside a month. The Castle, the Church and remains of the walls bear silent witness to the oft-told story. From that time until a hundred years ago, Carrickfergus suffered almost constant invasion, plunder, bloodshed and burning. ![]() Another story tells that the same rock was called Carraig-na-Fairge, rock of the sea, from which it is more probable the name Carrickfergus was derived. His body was found and buried in the adjacent abbey of Monkstown. He crossed to Scotland, and on his return journey he was wrecked on a rock in the bay, called afterwards the Rock of Fergus. The oldest records tell us that an Irish King, Feargus, built the first castle to defend his property three hundred and twenty years before Christ. In Carrickfergus, Northern Ireland daylight saving time is referred to as "British Summer Time.Looking at the quiet old town to-day one can scarcely believe that it was once a place of the greatest importance, and the centre of such stirring times, when Belfast was only a small village. Western European Time - is abbreviated as WETīritish Summer Time - is abbreviated as BSTĬarrickfergus, Northern Ireland is GMT/UTC + 0h during Standard TimeĬarrickfergus, Northern Ireland is GMT/UTC + 1h during Daylight Saving TimeĬarrickfergus, Northern Ireland does utilize Daylight Saving Time. Carrickfergus, Northern Ireland is in the Western European Time ZoneĬarrickfergus, Northern Ireland Local Time Details
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