Places to go > County Antrim > Carrick-a-Rede < Landmarks < Things to do

Landmarks & Monuments: Ardboe High Cross, N. Ireland Beaghmore Stone Circles, N. Ireland Boa Island Figures, N. Ireland Bryn Celli Ddu Burial Chamber, Wales Caerleon Roman Fortress, Wales Capel Garmon Burial Chamber, Wales Carrick-a-Rede Bridge, N. Ireland Chysauster Ancient Village Devenish Monastic Site, N. Ireland Dolaucothi Gold Mine, Wales The Eden Project, England Giant's Causeway, N. Ireland Giant's Ring, N. Ireland Legananny Dolmen, N. Ireland Marble Arch Caves, N. Ireland Navan Fort, N. Ireland Nendrum Monastic Site, N. Ireland Ossian's Grave, N. Ireland Pentre Ifan Burial Chamber, Wales Scottish Parliament, Scotland Segontium Roman Fort, Wales Stonehenge, Southwest England Tre'r Ceiri Hillfort, Wales ................................................. _________________________________

County Antrim attractions: Botanic Gardens, Belfast Carrick-a-Rede Bridge Carrickfergus Castle Dunluce Castle Dunseverick Castle Giant's Causeway Irish Linen Centre & Lisburn Museum Old Bushmills Distillery Ossian's Grave Ulster Museum ................................................. _________________________________

Carrick-a-Rede Ballintoy, Co. Antrim, BT54 6LS, UK. Tel. +44 (0) 28 2073 1582

The famous Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Northern Ireland. Spanning a deep chasm, it links the island of Carrick-a-Rede with the mainland, and is located just east of the small village of Ballintoy on the Causeway Coast in County Antrim.

The name Carrick-a-Rede means 'rock in the road', and derives from the fact that the island acts as a block to migrating salmon returning to their home rivers to spawn. The rope bridge was constructed in 1624 so that fishermen could get across to the island to intercept the passage of the fish, catching them in their nets as they passed by. Fishing is no longer takes place due to the diminished salmon population, but in March every year the bridge is put up for tourists seeking a thrill.

The bridge is 67ft long and only 48 inches wide, while the 80ft drop down to crashing waves and rocks below makes the crossing a particularly adrenaline-boosting experience. It is safe, however, as the bridge is designed to support several tons of weight. From the island there are great views over to Rathlin Island and the cliffs of Fair Head. The bridge is closed from October to the beginning of March, and is not accessible when the weather is windy and rough.

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UK Landmarks & Monuments in our Historical monument section:

Ardboe High Cross
Beaghmore Stone Circles
Boa Island Figures
Bryn Celli Ddu Burial Chamber
Caerleon Roman Fortress
Capel Garmon Burial Chamber
Carrick a Rede Bridge
Chysauster Ancient Village
Devenish Monastic Site
Dolaucothi Gold Mine
Eden Project
Giant's Causeway
Giant's Ring
Legananny Dolmen
Marble Arch Caves
Navan Fort
Nendrum Monastic Site
Ossian's Grave
Pentre Ifan Burial Chamber
Scottish Parliament Building
Segontium Roman Fort
Stonehenge
Tre'r Ceiri Hill fort

Other Northern Ireland travel related links:

Northern Ireland hotel
Northern Ireland tour
Northern Ireland cottage
Northern Ireland hostel