Historic Dobbins Inn Hotel in Carrickfergus Goes on Sale for £400,000

Closure Marked the End of Almost 50 Years Under the Fallis Family

The appearance of Dobbins Inn on the property market comes immediately after an emotional final chapter for the family that ran it for nearly five decades.

When the closure was announced in August, the family thanked the thousands of people who had stayed, eaten, celebrated occasions or simply called into Dobbins over the years.

They also thanked generations of staff and loyal regular customers.

You can read our original report here:

Historic Dobbins Inn in Carrickfergus to close after almost 50 years under same family

The announcement prompted considerable reaction locally because of the hotel’s long association with Carrickfergus and its position on High Street.

Centuries of History Behind Dobbins Inn

While the Fallis family’s involvement stretches back to 1978, the history of the building goes much further.

Dobbins Inn incorporates elements of a 16th-century tower house associated with the Dobbin family.

Research carried out during conservation work dated parts of the building to around 1530.

Over the centuries, the property has had several different uses. It has been associated with the Dobbin family, operated as a bakery and was later used as a police barracks before eventually becoming a hotel.

Mid and East Antrim Borough Council previously highlighted Dobbins Inn as part of major heritage restoration work in Carrickfergus town centre.

Read more about the restoration and history of Dobbins Inn

Dobbins Inn Is Also Part of Carrickfergus Folklore

Beyond its documented history, Dobbins Inn has become closely associated with one of Carrickfergus’ best-known ghost stories.

The building is linked to the legend of Maud, a woman whose ghost is said in local folklore to haunt the old inn.

However, Northern Ireland Online’s research into the story found that the folklore has changed considerably over time, with different versions giving different names, dates and circumstances.

The safest description is that the haunting is a long-standing Carrickfergus legend connected to a genuine historic building, while many details of the story cannot be verified as documented history.

Read: The Ghost of Maud at Dobbins Inn

You can also read more about the history of Dobbins Inn in Carrickfergus.

Prime Position in Carrickfergus Town Centre

Dobbins Inn occupies a prominent High Street location only a short walk from Carrickfergus Castle, the town’s waterfront and Carrickfergus Marina.

Its position also places the building close to one of Northern Ireland’s best-known visitor attractions and near the southern gateway to the Causeway Coastal Route.

The combination of its location, history and existing accommodation means the sale is likely to attract significant local interest.

The property agents also highlight the site’s potential for further development of the hotel or redevelopment for another purpose.

What Happens Next to Dobbins Inn?

For now, there is no indication of who could buy Dobbins Inn or what a future owner may decide to do with the property.

The £400,000 guide price does, however, open a new chapter for one of Carrickfergus’ most recognisable buildings.

For many residents, the hope will likely be that whatever comes next protects the character and heritage of the historic High Street property.

The building has survived hundreds of years of change in Carrickfergus. Its latest appearance on the market means its next chapter is now waiting to be written.

View Dobbins Inn Hotel for sale on PropertyPal

For more local news, events, businesses and information, visit the Northern Ireland Online Carrickfergus page.

What would you like to see happen to Dobbins Inn? Should the historic building remain a hotel and hospitality venue, or would you like to see something different brought to the site?