Carrickfergus Castle and Belfast Lough

Artist(s): James Howard Burgess (Draughtsman), [firm of] Mould & Tod (Engraver)

View of Carrickfergus Castle and Belfast Lough. A notable feature is the smoke issuing from many tall chimneys in Belfast, in the background, and in the village of Carrickfergus, in the middle ground. The castle is seen as an imposing silhouette with some tall masts just beyond it. The foreground is occupied by five figures harvesting a cereal crop whose vigorous growth dwarfs the human forms. There are numerous sails visible on the lough, in the middle distance.

Inscribed in Image

  • Signature – Drawn by J. H. Burgess. Eng[rave]d by Mould & Tod Edin[bu]r[g]. Published by Marcus Ward. 6. Corn Market. Belfast
  • Caption outside of boundaries of image – Carrickfergus Castle and Belfast Lough

Image Details

Genre Landscape
Technique Etchings
Subject(s) Cities and towns, Nature, Rural life
Geographical Location
  • Antrim – County
  • Belfast Lough – Bay
  • Carrickfergus Castle, Co. Antrim – Castle
  • Ulster – Province
Keyword(s) Bays (Bodies of water), Boats, Castles, Farming, Harbours, Industrial buildings, Men, Peasants, People, Seas, Ships, Trees, Women
Colour Monochrome
Dimensions 14.5 cm x 23 cm
Published / created 1853

Bibliographical Details

Travel Account Illustrations of the North of Ireland
Note Drawn by James Howard Burgess. Engraved by Mould & Tod, Edinburgh
Print or manuscript Print
Location of image in copy p. 11
Source copy National Library of Ireland J 91411
Permalink https://ttce.universityofgalway.ie/irelandillustrated/view/image/ii_image_1358947832
Rights Courtesy of the National Library of Ireland

Related text from travel account

THIS view is taken from Bella Hill, the residence of MARRIOTT DALWAY, Esq., and presents one of the most beautiful landscapes to be found in Ireland. On the north shore, the bold range of mountains stretching up to the valley of the Lagan, forms a strong contrast to the fertile valley itself, and the highly cultivated hills of Down, on the south side. Particularly worth of notice is the “Cave-Hill,” and “Black Mountain,” almost immediately overhanging the town of Belfast. “MacCart’s Fort,” on the summit of the Cave Hill, towers above the rest–occupying the highest point of a range of precipitous cliffs, in the face of which the caves are naturally formed, which give the name to the mountain. In the extreme distance, the picturesque Mountains of Mourne are seen. The pool of Garmoyle, at the entrance of the channel up to Belfast harbour, affords safe and extensive anchorage to shipping. The old Castle and town of Carrickfergus stands close to the shore, in the foreground, and in the distance the town of Belfast is seen, with its forest of masts and tall chimney stalks,–indicating its commercial importance and enterprise. Tourists, visiting the Causeway, Coast-wise, would be well repaid by turning a little out of the regular road, below Carrickfergus to enjoy the above splendid view. [p. 10]
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