Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge – Don’t Look Down!
Background to Carrick-a-Rede
Location of Carrick-a Rede Rope Bridge
Today one of County Antrim’s most popular tourist attractions is the Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge.
This bridge spans the gap of 66ft over the Atlantic Ocean from the mainland to the tiny island of Carrickarede. Situated on the North Antrim Coastal Path, the bridge is just half a mile from the picturesque village of Ballintoy.
Salmon Fishing
However, the bridge was not always just for scenic value. It was a means for fishermen to catch salmon as they swam past the area on the way to their spawning grounds in the River Bush and the River Bann. The fishing season lasted from June to September and the rope was cast across to allow the men access to the island.
“The cliffs on either side are, however, connected by a bridge of ropes, seemingly fragile, but not really so, generally used by the fishermen who resort to the rock for the purposes of their calling, for it is a tempting station, large numbers of salmon being caught there in seine-nets”
M‘Comb’s Guide to Belfast 1861
Daily catches of 300 salmon were the norm here up until the mid-20th century.
The first bridge was constructed in 1755 but salmon fishing was known in the area from at least 1620. In Irish ‘Carraig a Raid‘ means ‘rock of the casting’ or in other translations ‘the rock in the road’.
Once caught, the salmon were carried in boxes across the bridge and up the steep slope to the ice-house at Ice’s Brae on the main road. The ice preserved the fish enabling it to be exported to markets in Ireland and England.
“It so happens that Carrick-a-Rede is the only place on this abrupt coast which is suited for the purpose (salmon fishing). Here then or no where must be the fishery – but how to get to the rock is the question. In this perplexity there is really no resource, except in attempting to throw a bridge of rope from the main land to the island; which accordingly the fishermen every year accomplish in a very singular manner”
William Hamilton, Letters Concerning the North Coast of Antrim, 1790
Fishermen have been using this method for over 250 years. The construction of the bridge has only changed slightly. Nowadays the Carrick-a-Rede bridge is made of wire rope and Douglas Fir planks with high net safety guards on either side.
Constructing Carrick-a-Rede
In previous times two strong cables were carried by expert climbers and fastened into iron rings sunk deep into the opposite cliff faces. Wooden boards, about 1ft in breadth, were laid across the two cables, supported at intervals with cross cords. A single hand rope was provided to aid the crossing. Needless to say, crossing the bridge, 98ft above the rocks below, was not for the faint-hearted!
“The only danger to be apprehended is the giving way of the ropes and iron rings to which they are fastened; should this happen, farewell to the unfortunate passenger! One heavy-built man crossed over in my presence, and the bridge bent and quivered at every step he took in a fearful manner!”
Dublin Penny Journal 1834
Carrickarede Island
The tiny isle of Carrickarede is uninhabited but a 400-year-old fisherman’s cottage still remains. It was used for storage and shelter during inclement weather.
Until fairly recently a wooden derrick or crane was attached to the cliff face to raise and lower the rowing boats into the water. The 100-year-old structure however, was finally washed away during a storm in 2014. A reconstructed crane (using some of the old timbers) has since been re-established on the island.
The island of itself is an example of a volcanic plug. This part of County Antrim suffered explosive volcanic activity during the Palaeocene Epoch, 60 million years ago. This basaltic outcrop was actually formed and hardened in the spout of the volcano.
Over very many years the surrounding softer rock was worn away by weathering and coastal erosion until only this ‘plug’ of solid lava remained forming the rocky island.
Due to its volcanic nature the craggy rock supports a range of flora and fauna and has been designated an ‘Area of Special Scientific Interest’. The island is often covered in clover, plantain, field scabious and kidney vetch. Three types of wild orchid grow here and the flowering grass of Parnassus has also been spotted.
“In winter, storms and sea spray lash this rocky coast and all the wild grasses and flowers die back. But in summer the cliffs and grassy slopes, the quarry floor and ledges are alive with yellow and white, pink and blue wild flowers”
National Trust Information Board.
Many birds call Carrickarede home, including guillemots, razorbills, kittiwakes and oystercatchers.
The area has also been awarded ‘Dark-Sky Discovery Status‘ making it ideal for stargazing.
Where Carrickarede meets the sea, caves were once the homes of local boat builders. They also provided refuge for sailors in stormy weather.
In the nearby village of Ballintoy in the 19th century, fishing was a common occupation with at least 21 men described as ‘salmon fishers’. In the 1901 census only 12 men in the village are listed as fishermen including –
James C Kelly (26) at no5
John McKay (64) at no 14
Neal Wilkinson (35) at no 16
Alexander McNeill (35) at no 22
Alexander Gillen (74) at no 24
Thomas (36) and John (44) McKendry at no 28
Dulse
It is interesting to note that widow Mary Boreland at no 34 is recorded ‘sells seaweed’. Local ‘dulse‘ is still a popular treat today.
Dulse (Palmaria palmata) is a type of red seaweed. It’s found on rocky coasts of Europe, Japan, northeastern US, and Canada. It’s sometimes eaten as food.
Dulse is a rich source of iodine, potassium, and protein. It has effects that might reduce inflammation and lower cholesterol.
WebMD.com
Carrick-a-Rede Today
Today the shoals of breeding salmon are long gone and Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge no longer supports the fishing industry but the tourist one.
Scenery
Although there is a charge to walk across the bridge itself, the location be visited to enjoy the adjacent scenery.
The views from the bridge and the Antrim coast are spectacular. It is possible to see across to Rathlin Island and the Scottish coastline. Basking sharks, dolphins and porpoises are also frequent visitors.
Game of Thrones Filming Location
Adjacent to the rope bridge is a location featured in Season 6 of Game of Thrones. (The bridge itself was not used at this time).
The confrontation between Balon Greyjoy, King of the Iron Islands, and his younger brother Euron was also filmed on location at the site.
The coastal cliffs at Carrick-a-Rede were represented as The Stormlands near Storm’s End in previous seasons.
Visiting Carrick-a-Rede
Many thousands of sightseers visit Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge every summer, though not all venture across!
“A chasm full sixty feet in breadth, and of a depth frightful to look at, separates it from the adjacent land; at the bottom of this the sea usually breaks with an uninterrupted roar among the rocks…Upon the whole, it is a beautiful bridge in the scenery of the landscape, but a frightful one in real life”
William Hamilton, Letters Concerning the North Coast of Antrim, 1790
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