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Dobbin's Inn Hotel got its start as D'Aubin's Castle, which
was built by Reginald D'Aubin in the early 13th century. Today
it's a full service hotel. All rooms are en-suite and have recently
been refurbished to a high standard and include coffee/tea making
facilities, TV, phone, hairdryer and trouser press. Guest may
take advantage of laundry services, room service, internet access
and ironing services. Room rates include what the proprietor
coins as "the Full Monty Breakfast," which is a traditional
Irish breakfast with all the traditional inclusions.
The hotel also has a restaurant and bar. The John Paul Jones
Lounge Bar was named after the famous American privateer who
fought the British Fleet in Carrickfergus Bay in 1178. A collection
of naval cap tallies is displayed behind the bar. The bar has
a "pub grub" style menu for those wanting casual meals.
Las Rosas is the hotel's new restaurant, which has a Mediterranean
theme. This restaurant breaks away from the traditional Irish
restaurant, and emphasizes healthful meals using fresh local
produce. The lower level of the restaurant is acts more as a
tapas bar while the upper level is for more formal dining.
Much of the original 13th century castle section still retains
many of its architectural features, such as the open hearth
in reception and the Priest's Hole, which was the escape route
in Penal times when practicing Catholicism was outlawed. Guest
should be sure to ask about the ghost of Maud, a wife in the
17th century whose husband was the commander of Carrickfergus
Castle across the road. While on campaign, Maud had an affair
with a soldier nicknamed Button-Cap. Her husband returned early
and discovered the infidelity and killed both of them. Maud's
ghost haunts the hotel and only shows herself to men, in her
search for her lover. Button-Cap is said to haunt the barracks,
sometimes seen on the battlements and searching for Maud. During
street works in Carrickfergus, a partially destroyed passage
was discovered, which connected D'Aubin's Castle to Carrickfergus
Castle. The commander often used this passage in inclement weather,
and it's suspected that Maud and Button-Cap may have also used
this passage for their secret trysts.
Staying in Dobbin's Inn Hotel will add additional intrigue
to any itinerary.
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