Carrick-A-Rede Rope Bridge Co. Antrim

Carrick- A- Rede Rope Bridge Co. Antrim

Carrick -A-Rede Rope Bridge

Carrick -A- Rede Rope Bridge is located on the North Antrim Coast between Ballycastle and Balintoy. It is an ideal spot to visit when visiting other attraction ion the area such as the Giants Causeway or Dunluce Castle.

Local fishermen have keet a bridge here since the mid 1600s. The name Carrick-A-Rede (Carraig-a-Rade) means the rock in the road The road being the sea migration route of salmon past the island to which the bridge crossed from the mainland.

The waters around this area of coast are often too rough to be reached by a small boat and it was due to this that local fishermen kept the bridge in order to reach the best places to catch the migrating salmon. The rope bridge is approx. 70ft across and 100ft above the sea. Normally erected in the spring and taken down in the autumn, a salmon bag net is checked and emptied daily between June and August except weekends when it is not fished. The bridge is maintained by the National Trust a conservation charity.

The facilities at Carrick-A-Rede include a Tearoom and toilet facilities beside the main car park. The walk to the bridge follows the cliff path a distance of approx. half a mile (20mins).

The path is quite steep in some places with rough steps. Strong boots or good walking shoes are recommended. This is offset however by spectacular views and the opportunity to enjoy the geology, flora and fauna which have contributed to the area being officially recognized as an Area of special scientific interest. Accordingly please do not disturb the birds or pick any flowers.

For those interested in ornithology the opportunity to spot Eiders, Fulmars, Kittywakes, Guillemots, and Razorbills, presents itself as the islands to which the rope bridge lead are important breeding grounds for these birds during the months of April to July.

Coastal views along the cliff path.

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