History of the Inn
You can scarcely turn a corner on the many throughfares that weave through this
ancient isle without encountering the legend "Ireland's Oldest Pub". Many claim the title but few have the historical
pedigree of the old Dobbin family castle, built by the Norman knight Reginald D'Aubin in the early 13th century.
With such a long history it is no surprise that the hotel has its own ghost. Don't leave without hearing the sad
17th century tale of Maud and Button-Cap.
The John Paul Jones Lounge Bar is named after the American Privateer who fought the British
fleet in Carrickfergus Bay in 1778. A collection of naval cap tallies is displayed behind the bar.
The Priest Hole, located near reception
was the escape route for those wishing to celebrate mass during the years when it was outlawed by the crown.
Dobbin's Inn Hotel has over the
years been, a family castle,a townhouse,a gaol,an armoury,a collection point for the fledgling postal service and from
1946 a hotel. It was in 1978 that the current owners Maureen and Derek Fallis purchased the hotel and continue
the innkeeper's craft nearly a third of a century later. Read below for the full history of Dobbin's Inn
Hotel
The Norman knight Reginald D’Aubin
was gifted some land in the shadow of the castle which his master Sir Hugh de Lacy had completed in 1200 and the tower house
he built there became the Inn as we know it today, but what of its history? What of
his descendents
In 1315 Carrickfergus was attacked by Edward Bruce’s army and was swiftly
overrun; but a body of men under John Logan slammed the castle gates and a siege began. In their number was Thomas Dobyn whose
family feared for his safety since tales of Scottish prisoners being eaten by the defenders were being circulated by the townsfolk.
They were reunited in August 1316 when the siege was lifted and at Dundalk in 1318 Bruce was defeated, hanged and quartered
with a grisly portion sent to Carrickfergus where it was raised
on a pike at the castle.
By 1401 Peter Dobyn was constable of the castle, his salary for the first year described as:
“
the profits of the town’s watermill, a liberty of £23-16-8d granted for the defence of the castle and one hundred
cattle grazed free by the grace of the corporation” In the century following a succession of the family held civic office, becoming either Sheriff or Mayor.
During the Plantation of Ulster
under King James the Dobbins’s Castle was shelter for those souls wishing to celebrate mass and during this period the
“priest’s hole” was constructed and is visible today near
reception. During this period one of the town’s most endearing ghost stories has its origins. Hugh Dobbin’s young
wife fell in love with a handsome captain of foot stationed at the castle barracks. Dobbin, returning from the Tyrone rebellion,
discovered the deception and “did put them to death with his sword” The
unfortunate pair roam the castle, as Buttoncap and the old Inn, as Maude.
A few lines in the ancient work “McSkimin’s History and Antiquities of Carrickfergus”
lend weight to the claim that the Inn is the oldest in Ulster when, writing of Mayor James Dobbin in 1662, says
“He, though of ancient family, yet kept an Inn and sold ales” On
16th April 1642 the Dobbin children are playing near the shoreline when ships are sighted, soon many men in tartan
march from the town, her brother tells young Eliza that General Monroe’s army are going to fight crown enemies at Newry.
These scenes are vividly brought to mind when, as a mother herself, on 14th June 1690, with cousin Robert Clarke,
she gazes in awe at the army of William of Orange disembarking from a fleet at the old landing stage near the castle. The
men set off on their long march to an important battle at the Boyne river.
By 1702 only a few of the family were in the borough, Peter had bought land in London,
William had left to find fortune in the new world and Stephen moved to Armagh county. In 1753 the Inn was a stout town house
owned by the Seeds family and on February 21st with Britain at war with France, Sheriff John Seeds escorts French
prisoners to Belfast. At Boneybefore soldiers under Commodore Francois Thurot land and soon they were being repelled in the
high street. Seed’s wife Susanna tries to comfort her young family frightened by the fighting outside but young Thomas
slips out only to find himself between the armies. Chevalier D’Estrees, a French officer breaks ranks, runs to the child
and takes him to his distraught mother. The defenders, so moved by the officer’s gallantry, send a dispatch to Thurot
commending D’Estrees. Books belonging to the boy were part of a find made during renovations to the Inn and are now
on display in the Thomas Seed’s room.
April 1778 and a ship “The Ranger” captained by American privateer
John Paul Jones lies off Carrick, the crew of a fishing boat is taken by Jones who captures the vessel “Drake” a naval rigger under Captain Burdon. The fishermen, amongst who is John Dobbin, are
freed; the War of Independence touched these shores. Another uprising had the town as a backdrop for one of its concluding
acts, 1798 and rebel leader Henry Joy McCracken with two comrades leave the safe house of David Bodle on the cavehill. By
daylight they approach Carrickfergus but are recognised by yeomanry under Sergeant Niblock. Realising that a compromise can
be made the two parties repare to the old Inn but one young soldier, fearing the consequences, flees through the tunnel, returns
with an officer and the fugitives are taken to Belfast where they are hanged in High street on July 17th The rising
was over.
In the nineteenth
century the building became two townhouses and remained thus until 1946 when they were converted to an hotel by the Mabbutt
family. The most famous patrons were matinee idol Jack Hawkins and carpet tycoon Cyril Lord who regaled their guests at the
Inn. Gaining a reputation for hospitality the hotel passed to the celebrated Betty & Joe Wilson, then to entrepreneur
John McVeigh who brought about the maritime flavour. Since 1978 the Hotel has been in the hands of Derek and Maureen Fallis.
