Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge, Suspension bridge in Ballintoy, Northern Ireland.
The Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge connects the mainland to a small island across a deep chasm, with ropes and planks swaying about 30 meters (roughly 100 feet) above the water. The structure consists of wire ropes and Douglas fir planks stretched across the gap, swaying gently in the wind.
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 originates from Scottish Gaelic 'Carraig-a-Rade', meaning 'The Rock in the Road', referring to salmon migration patterns in the area.
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 bridge underwent testing before opening to ensure it could support loads of up to ten tonnes. Though made of rope, it is built very robustly for regular visitor traffic.
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