Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge

The Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge is a narrow rope bridge near Ballintoy in County Antrim, Northern Ireland. It links the mainland to the small island of Carrickarede, which means ‘rock of the casting’ in Irish. The bridge spans 20 metres and hangs 30 metres above the rocks below. It is owned and maintained by the National Trust and attracts nearly half a million visitors each year. The bridge has been open every day since 2009, weather permitting. Salmon fishermen first built bridges here over 350 years ago. The bridge has changed many times since the 1970s when it had only one handrail and wide gaps between the slats. In 2000, a stronger bridge was built with help from local climbers and tested to carry ten tonnes. A new version in 2004 made crossing safer for visitors and fishermen. The current bridge, made of wire rope and Douglas fir, was raised in 2008 by Heyn Construction in Belfast. In 2017, vandalism damaged the ropes overnight, but engineers repaired it the next day. Visitors find sweeping views of Rathlin Island and Scotland from the bridge and surrounding area. The site is an Area of Special Scientific Interest for its geology, plants and wildlife. Below the bridge lie large caves once used by boat builders and as shelter in storms. Carrickarede island is the best example of a volcanic plug in Northern Ireland. The cliffs show layers of basalt and chalk, with dolerite rock that erodes more slowly than the softer rock behind it.