CARRICK-A-REDE & FISHERMAN’S COTTAGE
Ireland’s Famed Rope Bridge Across Memory Lane
A fascinating piece of Irish maritime history has been brought to life with the restoration of the fisherman’s cottage at the famous Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge on the North Ireland Antrim Coast. Located near the rocky wonder of the Giant’s Causeway (see Causeway of Finn McCool), Carrick-a-Rede is the name of a tiny off- shore island accessible only by a free swinging rope bridge, originally built to give fishermen to access the island where for centuries they risked life and limb to catch migrating north Atlantic salmon at an island fishery. Before a trip to the Carrick-a-Rede bridge was a hike down from the road, to the island and back, but now a guided visitor experience is offered at the newly restored Fisherman’s Cottage on the island.
The Salmon Fishery at Carrick-a-Rede is one of the few surviving pieces of a once thriving industry and the cottage, which was used by the workers tending the fishery until it closed in 2002. The cottage has been reopened with presentations of the history and the salmon fishing activities recording memories and stories of people associated with the industry sustained generations of fishermen in this coastal land. Visits to the cottage require a prior booking listen to first-hand accounts of the area’s salmon fishing lore stretching back to the 17th century.
The rope bridge is an exhilarating experience all its own which every year attracts thousands of visitors braving gently swaying ropes across the 30 meter high chasm between the green stone bluffs rendered apart by the sea which separates the coasts of Ireland from Scotland’s shore by a mere stone’s heave (see Northern Ireland Coastal Walks). The Carrick-Rede Rope Bridge is administered by the UK National Trust. To cross the rope bridge admission costs is £5.09 for adults and £2.63. The hike to the bridge from the roadway parking area takes about 20 minutes. For booking to view the fisherman’s cottage call ahead +44 (0) 28 2076 9839. © Bargain Travel Europe
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SEE ALSO:
IRELAND COASTAL COTTAGES – BY THE WEEK
DRIVING
SCENIC IRELAND
GAME OF THRONES LOCATIONS TOUR
