Dobbins Inn, Carrickfergus, Co. Antrim, Northern Ireland

Around 1200AD Reginald D’ Aubin was given an area of land from the then owners of Carrickfergus Castle. Reginald built a tower house on this patch of land which then remained in the possession of descendants of the family for hundreds of years.

By the 15th Century, the family name was changed to Dobyn and several generations of the family took high office in the area. In the reign of King James I, during the plantation of Ulster, their house was used as a shelter for Catholic priests in the area. They would go on to hold many secret masses on the property, you are still able to see a priest’s dating in the hotel’s reception area.

During this time the Inn was to acquire its now resident ghost. Elizabeth, the then-wife of the owner Hugh Dobbins, fell in love with a soldier stationed at Carrickfergus Castle. She used to use a passage at the back of the old stone fireplace to secretly meet with the soldier known simply as ‘Buttoncap’.

It wasn’t long before her husband was to discover the affair, and the reports say he murdered both of them with his sword. Elizabeth’s ghost is the one that wonders the hotel to this day.

In 1946 the Inn underwent a makeover converting what was then an old dilapidated Inn, into a hotel. The spirit of Elizabeth (has become known as ‘Maud’) is still said to haunt the rooms and corridors of the Inn, stroking the faces of guests. Several other guests have also reported the sighting of a black mass shooting from the reception area over to the old stone fireplace were the tunnel still resides.

A worker has also reported being hit by a coin during the end of a busy night’s service, only to turn round to find no-one in the room.

About

Dobbins Inn is located in the historic town of Carrickfergus and it’s the perfect location of choice for all visitors to Northern Ireland. The hotel is just a short journey from the centre of Belfast and also ideally situated on the scenic Causeway Coast Route,

The Inn is just 20 minutes from the country’s main Airports and Ferry Ports and only a two-hour drive from Dublin Airport. If you’re a Game of Throne fan, the inn is the perfect base to further explore the Game of Thrones story or the stunning scenery of Mid and East Antrim and beyond.

Dobbins Inn has 15 bedrooms with complimentary WIFI throughout the building. Food is served in the quaint Landings Restaurant as well as the public bar and lounge. The hotel completed major historic renovation work in Autumn 2019 to further explore its fascinating 800-year history. Part of these works saw half of the front façade of the hotel restored to an original castle look and the other half to a 15th-century townhouse look.

Things to do

Situated in the heart of Carrickfergus, by the foothills of the Antrim mountains and within half an hour’s drive to main points of entry at Belfast, Larne, and Aldergrove. Dobbin’s Inn offers travellers a perfect launching point from which to begin their visit to this ancient Isle.

With a central location (including secure car parking) there is much to see and do on the hotel doorstep. The Castle and St Nicholas Church are within a five-minute stroll. Golfing and angling, popular activities in the borough, can be arranged at various locations by enquiring at the reception.