“…..consequently this country is at war with Germany.”

Come with me on a walk around Carrickfergus. Through contemporary photographs and stories, I’ll take you back to the town as it was in the early 1940s.

On 1 September 1939, Nazi Germany invaded Poland. Britain and France declared war on Germany two days later. So started a conflict that would spread across all parts of the planet and last for six years: the Second World War.

As the German military machine swept through Europe, Carrickfergus (like many towns and cities across the nation) responded to British Prime Minister Winston Churchill’s call to support the War Effort.

Its citizens served in the Army, Royal Navy, Royal Air Force, and Merchant Navy.

On the Home Front, factories in the town turned their attention to making the essential products needed for the war.

British, American and Belgian military units were stationed (and a significant one created) within the town, and a number of German and Italian prisoners-of-war were detained here.

So, join me as I Lead the Way and discover the unique role Carrickfergus played during  the Second World War.

Find out how Franklin, Rupert and Matilda left this town to play a significant part in the successful Allied victory.

Some useful information about the Tour is shown below, or you can jump to what you need by using the menus at the top of this page.

Please note the temporary amendments made to the Tour. Click here for more information.

The Tour

Please note the temporary amendments made to the Tour. Click here for more information.

This Tour is designed to showcase the role Carrickfergus played during the Second World War (1939-45).

Throughout towns and cities across the United Kingdom during the Second World War, factories that made even the most routine of products were converted to manufacture goods needed for the War Effort.

Carrickfergus was no different. Through this Tour you will learn about the very important items that were created here.

Northern Ireland was a staging post for over 300,000 American troops on their way to the frontline.

Carrickfergus was identified as a crucial part of the infrastructure required. The first American communication base was set up here in early 1942, but a more significant event took place in the town in the summer of that year. We will visit the location where this took place, discover why it was so important, and follow the historic onward journey of one of those American soldiers.

I will share some dates and facts with you along the way, but I won’t be bombarding you with numbers. This Tour is more about the story of the town, and some of the people associated with it, during the Second World War.

Tours

Standard Tour – suitable for adults and school pupils from Year 8 onwards. Some children younger than Year 8 may enjoy this Tour, but it’s worth noting that it is heavier on detail than a Junior Tour (see below). The Tour Route is around 1.5 miles long (on level ground) and takes 90 minutes to complete.

Junior Tour – a less detailed Tour, shorter distance, but more focused on complementing what Primary Schools cover on the Second World War. In my opinion this is suitable for pupils in Years 4-7. The Tour Route is around 1 mile long (on level ground) and takes 60 minutes to complete.

Advice for young children (Year 3 or younger) – if I am honest, the Junior Tour may not be suitable, and the Standard one definitely isn’t. There is quite a lot of information shared on both Tours, and I am not sure that a very young child would find this sufficiently interesting. That said, I will leave it up to the main carer of such a young child to decide if they want to bring them on a Tour. In such circumstances, children of this age will be made more than welcome and I will not charge for their attendance. If in doubt, get in touch and I can offer more specific advice.

I will pre-advertise a few Standard and Junior Tours on Eventbrite. If you would prefer a different day or time than those advertised, let me know and I’ll do my best to set up additional Tours. Please contact me to agree a suitable date and time.

Pricing & Tickets

Ticketing Arrangements

Tours are priced at £8 per Guest for the Standard Tour and £5 for the Junior Tour.

(for information on the different types of Tours, visit the The Tour page)

Until there are further relaxations to the COVID-19 countermeasures, participation on a Tour must be pre-arranged – there will be no option to “just turn up” for a Tour.

Some Tour dates and times will be published on Eventbrite, but please get in touch if you would like a Tour on a date and time of your own choosing, and I will do my very best to accommodate your request.

Please note the temporary amendments made to the Tour. Click here for more information.

Getting Here

The Tour starts just to the left of Carrickfergus Castle, as you look at the entrance.

You really can’t miss it!

Carrickfergus Castle – meeting point for the start of the Tour

The Guide will be easy to spot – he’ll be carrying a green rucksack with the Tour sign on it.

There are excellent train and bus connections to Carrickfergus. Translink is Northern Ireland’s public transport provider. You can click here to use their Journey Planner.

If you are travelling by car or private coach, Car Park details are available here.
The Harbour Car Park is recommended as being the most convenient free one in the Town.

There is a bit more information about what else you may wish to do while in Carrickfergus in our “Stay Awhile” page.

Contact Me

For any additional information or requests, contact Adrian at:

leadthewaytourcarrickfergus@gmail.com

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+44 7916780474

Or follow the Tour’s Social Media Accounts – @leadthewaytour

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