Mapping Medieval Carrickfergus

Exploring Carrickfergus’s Anglo-Norman Past Through Maps
Discover how Carrickfergus developed from its Anglo-Norman beginnings at a special one-day heritage event in Carrickfergus Town Hall on Saturday 15 August 2026.

The event combines a hands-on morning mapping workshop with an illustrated afternoon lecture, giving visitors the chance to explore how the town changed over the centuries and how new digital mapping technology is helping bring its medieval past to life.

Morning Mapping Workshop
Time: 11am

The morning session offers participants the opportunity to test a new online mapping application currently being developed to show how Carrickfergus looked around the year 1250.

Visitors will be able to:

Explore the developing digital map
See how archaeology and historic maps are being combined
Learn how Carrickfergus changed through the centuries
Provide feedback on how the map can be used and improved
Places for the workshop are limited.

To take part, contact Carrickfergus Museums:

Telephone: +44 (0)28 9335 8241
Email: carrickfergusmuseums@midandeastantrim.gov.uk

Mapping Our Anglo-Norman Towns
Time: 2pm

In the afternoon, geographer Professor Keith Lilley of Queen’s University Belfast will deliver a public lecture titled Mapping Our Anglo-Norman Towns.

The highly illustrated talk will use Carrickfergus and other Anglo-Norman settlements as examples to explore how medieval towns were planned, developed and understood through historic and modern mapping.

A question-and-answer session will follow the lecture.

A New Digital Map of Medieval Carrickfergus
The wider project, supported by funding from the Heritage Council, will create a new online digital map showing Carrickfergus as it may have appeared around 1250.

The map will be reconstructed using evidence from sources including:

Archaeological discoveries
Historic maps
Documentary evidence
Research into the medieval townscape
The project aims to provide a new way for residents, visitors and researchers to explore the early development of one of Northern Ireland’s most important historic towns.

Event Information
Date: Saturday 15 August 2026
Venue: Carrickfergus Town Hall
Morning workshop: 11am
Public lecture: 2pm
Lecture running time: Approximately one hour
Admission: Free
Suitable for: All ages

Advance booking is required for both sessions, with limited availability for the morning workshop.

This event is ideal for anyone interested in Carrickfergus history, Anglo-Norman heritage, medieval archaeology, historic maps and digital heritage.