The Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge is an popular tourist attraction in an island in Northern Ireland, United Kingdom.
The narrow suspension bridge for pedestrians that spans a strait of 20 meters at a height of 30 meters. The footpath to the bridge takes 15 minutes and leads along a path that is sometimes quite steep. A bridge has been around for around 350 years. It was originally built by fishermen who have been fishing for salmon with a net from the island for 400 years. Since the swell around the island often prevented a boat crossing, the fishermen resorted to this solution. Originally the bridge was only stretched for the salmon season from June to August.
In 2008 a new bridge made of steel cable and Douglas fir was built. The bridge is owned by the National Trust and a fee is required to use the bridge.
It has become one of the tourist attractions of Northern Ireland, thus in 2007 it had an influx of 227,000 visitors.
Access : Coordinates: 55.240036, -6.331044 / The Carrick-a-Reed Bridge is located 94 kilometers northwest of Belfast and 36 kilometers northeast of Coleraine, in County Antrim, northeastern Northern Ireland, UK.
Highlights :
- The modern bridge was built in 2008: a structure using high-strength cables and spruce, capable of supporting up to ten thousand tons, at a cost of 16 thousand pounds.
- For more than 350 years, the bridge was used by fishermen to reach the island, a place of passage for migrating salmon.
- The island and the steep coast opposite offer a habitat for colonies of different sea birds that nest on and on the rocks. There are puffins, eiders, petrels, kittywakes, guillemots and razorbills. The marked paths must therefore not be left and dogs are not permitted.
- The Carrick-a-Reed Bridge can be crossed all year round, except on days when weather warnings are issued by meteorologists.
- From the island you have an excellent view of the rocky coast of Antrim and Rathlin Island.
Go next : the Bridge of Giants. It is located 11 kilometers from the bridge. / Ballintoy , a small village, in County Antrim, Northern Ireland.
