Days Out NI
Museum Carrickfergus

Carrickfergus Museum

Free town museum telling the story of Ireland's most-excavated medieval port.

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OpenMonday to Saturday, 10am to 4pm (check be…
FreeAdmission
CarrickfergusMuseum
An hourHow long
Family-friendlyBest for
FreeEntry
FreeParking
IndoorsSetting

Carrickfergus MuseumFree town museum telling the story of Ireland's most-excavated medieval port.

  • Getting in: Free entry, no booking needed.
  • Opening: Monday to Saturday, 10am to 4pm (check before you go for bank holidays).
  • Family: Yes — under-5s play zone and school education programmes.
  • Tours: Self-guided; guided tours by appointment.
  • Food: No café on site; cafés nearby in the town centre.
  • Parking: Free car parks within walking distance; disabled parking beside the building.
Plan your visit

Dig into the town beneath your feet

The displays are built around objects excavated in Carrickfergus itself, alongside items from the council's civic collection and loans from private and national sources. Interactive screens and multimedia presentations carry the story rather than long label panels, so it moves at a good pace for mixed ages. The Community Archive gallery is the local heart of it, gathering personal stories, documents and photographs from people who live here. If you've got family history in the area, you can add to it. The main gallery also brings in special and touring exhibitions, so there's usually something new on a return visit.

Free entry Self-guided Medieval to modern finds Under-5s play zone Touring exhibitions Fully accessible
Good to know before you go:

The museum rotates special and touring exhibitions through the year and runs education and community programmes, so the gallery changes between visits. Check the council listing or call ahead before a special trip to see what's currently on.

Before you set off

What to bring

  • 📷Camera or phoneMost galleries are photo-friendly — just check for any no-photos rooms.
  • 👟Comfy shoesPlenty to take in on foot, room to room.
  • 💷A few poundsFor the café, the shop, or a donation where entry is free.
  • 🕰️A bit of timeThe stories reward a slow look rather than a dash round.
Good to know

Everything before you go

Getting in
Free entry, no booking needed
Opening
Monday to Saturday, 10am to 4pm (check before you go for bank holidays)
Tours
Self-guided; guided tours by appointment
Age limits
None — all ages welcome, with a play zone for under-5s
Food
No café on site; cafés nearby in the town centre
Family-friendly
Yes — under-5s play zone and school education programmes
Parking
Free car parks within walking distance; disabled parking beside the building
Accessibility
Fully accessible; toilets, baby changing, large-print details and induction loop
How long to allow
About an hour
Address
11 Antrim Street, Carrickfergus, BT38 7DG
Questions

Before you go

How much is it to get in?
Free entry, no booking needed
What are the opening times?
Monday to Saturday, 10am to 4pm (check before you go for bank holidays)
Is it good for kids?
Yes — under-5s play zone and school education programmes
Are there guided tours?
Self-guided; guided tours by appointment
Is there parking?
Free car parks within walking distance; disabled parking beside the building
Getting there

Carrickfergus Museum is at 11 Antrim Street, Carrickfergus, BT38 7DG. Free car parks within walking distance; disabled parking beside the building. Tap below for directions.

Nearby

Make more of the day

The story

About Carrickfergus Museum

Carrickfergus is one of Northern Ireland's oldest towns and the most archaeologically explored, with centuries of digs around its Norman castle, medieval streets and harbour. The museum, run by Mid and East Antrim Borough Council, was created to display the finds from that work and tell the story of the town from the medieval period to modern times through the lives of ordinary people.

It sits in the Museum and Civic Centre building on Antrim Street, holding objects excavated locally together with the council's civic collection and material loaned from private and national sources. A dedicated Community Archive gathers the social history of the area, letting residents contribute their own photographs, documents and memories to the record.