We never had any intention of walking across the rope bridge at Carrick-a-Rede, so we almost skipped the sight altogether. Heights are not our thing, especially on a 66-foot length of flexible surface suspended between two large rocks 98 feet above the North Atlantic. But we thought we’d stop by to watch others take the challenge. We had walked out to the Giant’s Causeway that morning, and then had a nice lunch in the town of Bushmills. (No, not a liquid lunch.) The sun was still shining gloriously when we emerged from the restaurant. We needed to be outdoors.

Carrick-a-Rede (pronounced Carrick-a-Reedy) is from Scottish Gaelic, Carraig-a-Rade, meaning “rock in the road,” the “rock” being a plug blown out of a volcanic vent 60 million years ago and the “road” being the sea route for Atlantic salmon on their westward journey past Carrick Island off the northern coast of Ireland. 

Over 350 years ago fishermen began to set their nets in the salmon-rich waters around Carrick Island, but they needed a way to check on them without having to launch a boat into the turbulent Atlantic each time. So they strung a rope bridge across the gap between mainland and island to give them access to their nets. (Though I can’t imagine crossing a flimsy bridge during hazardous weather conditions on the North Atlantic any more than I can imagine taking a boat out in it.)

Fishermen no longer use the rope bridge, as there is no wild salmon in this part of the Atlantic anymore, so the bridge has become a tourist attraction—of the extreme sort. One source has it that there are some people who cross it once, and refuse to walk back across it. They have to be rescued from the island by boat.

The walk out to the bridge (on solid road) was spectacular—some of the best weather we’ve experienced lately and some of the most beautiful landscape. The Antrim Coast is every bit as gorgeous as the western Atlantic coast of Ireland. 

Great day to be outdoors. Great day to watch crazy tourists get their adrenaline rush for the day.