Mid and East Antrim Borough Council will host a public drop-in event on Thursday 23 April 2026 at Carrickfergus Museum & Civic Centre. The session runs from 4pm to 8pm and invites residents, businesses and visitors to examine updated designs for the £42.2 million Carrickfergus City Deal Regeneration Project.

Project team members, council officers and designers will attend to address questions. Attendees can submit feedback via comment forms or direct discussions. Exhibition boards and visualisations will cover plans for the castle and harbour area, public realm upgrades and links between heritage sites and the town centre.

Mayor Councillor Jackson Minford stated that the regeneration represents a major investment in the town's future as part of the Belfast Region City Deal. He noted that public input has shaped the designs and aims to boost footfall, support businesses and draw investment while preserving heritage.

Martin Hare, Managing Director at McAdam Design, said the team has incorporated prior feedback to refine the proposals. He invited people to attend for details on daily operations and functionality.

The project, funded in part by £26.4 million from the £1 billion Belfast Region City Deal with oversight from the Department for Communities, seeks to establish Carrickfergus as a heritage destination and gateway to the Causeway Coastal Route. Recent design work focused on accessibility and public spaces.