Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge (Carraig a' Ráid)

A famous rope bridge swaying 30 m above the sea to a tiny fishing island.

Fishermen first strung a bridge to Carrick-a-Rede island to net migrating salmon. Today the 20 m rope span, high above the churning Atlantic, is one of Antrim's most thrilling coastal experiences, with views to Rathlin and Scotland.

At a glance

• Rope bridge ~30 m above the sea
• Originally built by salmon fishermen
• Views to Rathlin Island and Scotland

In County Antrim

Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge is in County Antrim, Aontroim in Irish, which means “lone ridge”.

More in Antrim

• The Giant's Causeway (Clochán an Aifir): Around 40,000 interlocking basalt columns on the Antrim coast, a UNESCO site wrapped in the legend of Finn McCool.
• Rathlin Island (Reachlainn): Northern Ireland's only inhabited offshore island, an L-shaped seabird haven off the Antrim coast.
• The Glens of Antrim (Glinntí Aontroma): Nine green valleys running from the Antrim plateau down to the sea.

Other places of this kind

• The Cliffs of Moher (Aillte an Mhothair): Sea cliffs located at the southwestern edge of the Burren region.
• Newgrange (Sí an Bhrú): A prehistoric monument in County Meath, older than Stonehenge and the Pyramids.
• Glendalough (Gleann Dá Loch): A beautiful glacial valley of two lakes, home to one of Ireland's most important early monastic settlements.
• The Rock of Cashel (Carraig Phádraig): A dramatic outcrop crowned with medieval buildings, once the seat of the kings of Munster.
• Clonmacnoise (Cluain Mhic Nóis): A great early monastery on the banks of the Shannon, once a renowned centre of learning.
• The Hill of Tara (Teamhair na Rí): The ancient inauguration site of the High Kings of Ireland, rich in myth and archaeology.

The Irish name

The Irish form of Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge is Carraig a' Ráid. You can hear it spoken, and take apart names like it, in the Placename Explorer. The authoritative record for any Irish place-name is logainm.ie.