Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge, Suspension bridge in Ballintoy, Northern Ireland.
The Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge links the mainland to the small island of Carrickarede, spanning 20 metres (66 ft) across a gap 30 metres (98 ft) above the rocks. The current bridge, made of wire rope and Douglas fir by Heyn Construction in Belfast in 2008, has flat wooden planks, white rope handrails and an open diamond netting of vertical and horizontal ropes.
Local fishermen built different versions of the bridge starting in 1755 to reach salmon fishing spots on the island. The current version was installed in 2008 to allow visitor access, replacing the older fishing bridges.
The name Carrickarede comes from Irish Carraig a' Ráid, meaning 'rock of the casting' or 'rock in the way', as the island sits in the path of salmon swimming to spawn in the River Bann and River Bush. Fishermen caught the fish with nets from the island, and the bridge was originally erected only for the salmon season from June to August.
Visitors should expect more swaying when crossing on windy days, and the walk takes less than a minute to complete. Access requires purchasing a ticket in advance, especially during summer months.
The 2000 bridge was tested to ten tonnes with the help of local climbers and abseilers. The current wire rope and Douglas fir structure, built by Heyn Construction in Belfast, was raised in early 2008 at a cost of over £16,000.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 93,399 contributors worldwide.
