Parks and Open Spaces

Carrickfergus Mill Ponds

The main features of the site are the two former mill ponds currently managed as a wildfowl refuge.

The Sullatober River flows through the site forming an important wildlife corridor.

The site forms part of a significant green corridor, linking the coast with the open countryside providing an attractive backdrop to the surrounding built up area, as well as being an important amenity and biodiversity resource.

The Mill Ponds are an oasis for wildlife in the urban area of Carrickfergus and attractive walk for residents and visitors.

The ponds are fringed with wetland vegetation and support a wide variety of bird life, including common species of ducks and mute swans, greylag geese, oystercatcher, snipe, kingfisher, swallows and many more woodland and garden birds.

Surrounding open space is grassland and woodland with a variety of mature trees, hawthorn hedgerows and recently planted saplings. Paths link the ponds to Shaftesbury Park.

In March 2015 the site was declared a Local Nature Reserve (LNR), under Article 22 of the Nature Conservation and Amenity Lands (Northern Ireland) Order 1985.

Location

The ponds are situated close to the centre of Carrickfergus, next to the Amphitheatre Wellness Centre. Map attached. The site can be accessed via Shaftesbury Park on Joymount, Carrickfergus or via Prince William Way, Carrickfergus.