Discovering the unique role Carrickfergus played during the Second World War.

A Guided Walking Tour around Carrickfergus, Northern Ireland, looking at how the town responded to the outbreak of the Second World War.

Through photographs, exhibits and stories, you will uncover how the war impacted on the town’s infrastructure, as well as the people who lived, worked or were stationed there during the Second World War.

• Factories were converted to make goods needed for the war effort: tanks, parachutes, uniforms and much more besides. Women, in particular, took up employment in many of these industries, playing a significant role in the battle against tyranny.
• Civilian life changed, as air raid shelters, gas masks, identity cards, rationing and the blackout were all introduced. Civil Defence organisation were formed to provide support and protection to the residents, including the Ulster Home Guard, Air Raid Precautions and Women’s Voluntary Service.
• Military personnel from Britain, then the United States of America and latterly Belgium came to army camps in the town. One particularly famous American Army unit, the US Rangers, was created in the town.

These are just the main highlights. Your Tour Guide has a wealth of knowledge about Carrickfergus during this key time in the 20th Century, so as you progress along the route, you’ll get to hear other interesting bits & pieces.

The content, distance and duration of Tours can be tailored to your personal requirements, depending on how far you want to walk, and how long you have to spend, and how much of the story of Carrickfergus during the Second World War you want to hear.

The shortest Tour is 1.2 miles long and takes around 75-90 minutes to complete. The more detailed Tours can be up to 2.5 miles long, and last for up to 2.5 hours.