Description: Just along the road towards Ballycastle from the Giants Causeway, you will find Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge. It is open between 10am and 7pm. Last access is 45 minutes before closing. It costs £5.00 to park, the entrance charge is £4.90 for adults and £2.50 for children. The bridge belongs to the National Trust, so if you are a member (like us), parking and entrance is free.
This is the National Trust's second star attraction in Northern Ireland (the first being the Giant's Causeway). It is an open rope bridge which spans a chasm 59 feet wide. The bridge is 79 feet above the sea. It looks precarious - made of rope and wood, it s 20 metres long, 1 metre wide and made of wire rope. The bridge goes from the mainland to the small Carrick-a-Rede island.
There has been a salmon fishery on this island for centuries. Fishermen stretch their nets out from the tip of the island to intercept the passage of the salmon, migrating along the coast to their home rivers. Every spring the fishermen put up a rope bridge. They have been doing this for 100 years - obviously though it is not the same bridge!!
You park your car in the car park at the top of the hill, then walk for about 20 minutes to get to the bridge. The ground is fairly rough and at the end there are a lot of steps down to the bridge. Sturdy shoes are definitely required here. There are no toilets or other facilities at the bridge, make sure you use these at the car park - those with children especially take note!
The walk to the bridge is a bit of a hike, but does provide you with the most beautiful views of the sea and the craggy coastline.
When you eventually see the bridge in the distance, you almost gasp in astonishment. It really does need to be seen to be believed. It sways above the rocks and water. Apparently it is safe (I have never heard of anyone falling in), but it is very scarey. It sways all the time - it is closed during high winds. Down by the bridge you get a great view of Rathlin Island and Fair Head.
The bridge is monitored by 2 National Trust staff at all times. They tell you when to use it and they keep an eye on the weather forecast. They recommend you go over it one at a time and you are not allowed to shake the bridge. 8 people are allowed on it though at any one time, and we did see occasional high spirited shaking (particularly with teenagers) going on.
Do not look down when you cross the bridge. If you do not like heights, do not cross it! If you are not sure whether or not you like heights, this is not the place to test it out! Really, this bridge is not for the faint hearted. If you decide to cross it, then find you did not like it, the worst thing is you have to come back over it again from the island - there is no other way.
Back at the car park, there is a very nice National Trust shop and cafe, where they sell lovely snacks and drinks and you can recover after the ordeal of crossing this unique bridge.
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