A major archaeological excavation at the front of Carrickfergus Castle is to start on Thursday, 15 March.

The excavation will investigate the ground at the entrance to the castle, where earlier investigations revealed buried structures and artefacts.

Carrickfergus Castle has been in State Care since 1928 and is now managed by the Historic Environment Division of the Department for Communities (DfC).

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Iain Greenway, Director of Historic Environment Division, said: "Carrickfergus Castle is one of our most-visited historic monuments. These works are to help inform how we re-connect the castle to the town, with heritage having a lead role in the social and economic prosperity of the whole area. The works will involve the careful excavation of the grassed area at the front of the castle's medieval gatehouse, and a portion of the access ramp that was constructed to the castle nearly 30 years ago. It is intended that public access to the site will be maintained throughout the works."

The excavation project is expected to take up to six weeks.

Once complete, the information gathered will help consideration of possible redesign of the entrance ramp to improve access to the castle.

(CD/LM)