Imagine a wonderful place in Northern Ireland with this magnificent rope bridge in Carrick-a-Rede. It is like a swing bridge over wild water and big mountains. People love it because it is very exciting and has many great stories behind it.

Do you know those friends who can’t stand still? They are always off looking for new adventures. They don’t just want to see things, they want to experience thrills, take risks and face challenges on their travels. For them, crossing a high rope bridge over the ocean is the ultimate thrill. Especially when the wind is blowing!

Hey everyone! Today, I’m going to tell you all about rope bridges. I will cover everything from ticket prices to nearby attractions. Let’s dive into it!

Where is the Rope Bridge? 

The Rope Bridge is a popular tourist attraction in Northern Ireland, not so far from Ballintoy Harbour. It is just only a 10 minute far from Ballycastle or just a 20 minute drive from the Giant’s Causeway.

During the summertime, you will get a huge number of tourists to visit this place, so you can plan for a delay to avoid the public. As you may know, the Giant’s Causeway and Rope Bridge are two places, that are top attractions in Northern Ireland.

Many tour buses are available along the road. You can take a day trip from Dublin or Belfast or use public transport very easily. If you are coming from Dublin, the train takes around 5 hours and 48 minutes and costs between €40 and €65. You can easily go by bus, it will take about the same time.

Alternatively a car can be rented. Just remember, Irish roads are different from the US, they will be narrow and winding Also, another thing, cars drive on the other side of the road here. So if you are not a confident driver, it may be better to join a tour or use public transport.

When to Visit the Rope Bridge? 

In my opinion you should visit the rope bridge in spring or summer and that will be the right decision. This weather is great for riding horses outside, having fun. During this time, the bridge is open, from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, you can stay a little longer if you want. But another thing is that there will be a lot of tourists during this time, which you may not like. So what to do? Yes, you can choose any day of the week in the morning, so you can easily avoid the crowds.

I don’t like crowds and a bit of a laid back person, I went in May because it’s less rainy and windy. As you may know, the authorities close the rope bridge if the wind is too strong, so timing is very important! We don’t want to suddenly stop and ruin our plans.

Is Rope Bridge free?

No, it’s not free at all, but you don’t have to spend a lot to do it either. For adults, it’s usually £13.50, for children it’s £6.75 and families pay £33.75. But these prices may vary depending on when you go. At peak times, as I wrote this, it goes up a bit:

Adults pay £15.50

Children pay £7.75

Families pay £38.75

But here’s the cool part: you only have to pay if you want to walk across the bridge. You can walk from the Rope Bridge car park to the bridge for free. It is a walk of about 1 km and takes about 20 minutes.

When you go to the car park, you will see a wooden hut. It may seem like you have to pay to get past it, but you don’t. If you don’t plan to cross the bridge, walk past the hut and continue.

Many people do this because they are afraid of heights. They pay £10 per car to park and then enjoy the view without crossing the bridge. But believe me, even walking on the bridge is beautiful. Along the way, you can check out Larrabane Quarry, Sheep Island and if it’s clear, see Scotland too!

As suggested by the locals, you should plan 1 to 1.5 hours for the trip. If it’s not too crowded, you can finish quickly. But when it’s busy in the summer, expect it to take a little longer.

I walked around for about 2 hours, and really had a great time. Honestly wished I could have spent some more time. I’d say, you should too. Just go with the flow and enjoy your time there!

Is Rope Bridge Safe? 

Well, let me tell you about my experience, so you can easily make the decision for yourself.

Like everyone else, I also was excited to cross the bridge. Near the parking lot, there is a small shop where you can get drinks and snacks if you want. But since I was too eager to climb the bridge, so I didn’t stop there.

It took me about 15 minutes to arrive there, and I saw a line of people waiting. Yes, it is usually quite crowded and I could not avoid! But I only had to wait for 15 minutes, and there was plenty to see while I waited.

But what really caught my eye,that was how high the bridge was. I’ve never seen anything like it before. It’s hanging 100 feet in the air, and just looking at it makes me nervous. The bridge itself is 60 feet long and connects the mainland of Northern Ireland with a small fishing island called Carrick-a-Red.

As time passed I became more nervous. I’ve seen some people change their minds and going back, but I didn’t want to miss the experience.

I got closer to the bridge and started to calm down. There were staff members on both sides, making sure that a certain number of people crossed at once. The planks of the bridge were close, so it felt quite safe. Also, the staff said it would take about 20 to 30 seconds to cross.

While I waited, I learned some important things which I want to share:

1. If you plan to visit a number of National Trust sites, such as the Giant’s Causeway or Castle Ward, getting an annual membership can save you money.
2. If the weather is bad, they will close the bridge for safety. But don’t worry, the cafe will still be open so you can hang out until it’s safe to cross again.
3. You can stay near the bridge if you want. There you will get a place, where you can spend the night called Carrick-a-Rede Cottage. You can do some observatory work at night and explore the area during the day including the rope bridge, Ballintoy village and nearby beaches.
4. And finally, history.

Why does this bridge exist at all? 

So, here’s why it all worked out the way it did: Carrick-a-Rede was the place for fishermen to go to catch salmon. The name Carrick-a-Red comes from Scottish Gaelic, meaning “rock of the road.” Fishermen saw the island as a barrier to salmon as they migrated.

Here’s something interesting: People have been fishing for salmon in Carrick-a-Rede and Larybane since the 1620s. This is where our story begins. Salmon fishing was a big deal on the Causeway Coast, so much so that they even built a fort on the River Bann at Coleraine to house all the fishing.

King James I and VI even tried to move into Northern Ireland in the early 1600s by granting salmon fishing rights to traders from London. Along the causeway coast, you can still see small cottages where people used to fish for salmon. Sometimes, these cottages are on small islands or cliffs such as Carrick a Red and Kinbane Head.

Story of Salmon

You know the story about Finn McCool, right? There’s this story where he accidentally eats a special salmon and becomes super smart. In the 1970s, they created a sculpture of that salmon, called Big Fish, to celebrate the return of salmon to the River Lagan in Belfast. Pretty neat, right?

For more than 350 years, fishermen have been building bridges to reach the islands. These bridges have undergone many changes over time. In the 1970s, it was just a handrail and some wooden planks with a gap in the middle. But there is this famous picture of a man on ice on that scary bridge!

But now the bridge is much safer. It still moves a bit, but there are two handrails to grab onto, a solid boardwalk in the middle, and nets on the sides so you don’t slip. No need to worry about falling.

They made these changes in 2008. A Belfast company erected the current cable-stayed bridge. It is strong and steady for those who cross it today.

In fishing, things changed in 2002. Fish are starting to move elsewhere, and salmon populations decline as a result of ocean pollution and overfishing. So, in 2002, after centuries of fishing, it all came to an end and the last fish was caught. Alex Colgan, a fisherman from Ballintoy, was the last person to fish in Carrick-a-Rede. Now, all that remains of their fishing days is a lonely cottage perched on the Carrick.

What’s on the other side of the rope bridge?

If you are brave enough to walk on the wobbly 100-feet high bridge, you will get an amazing view of the green water below that will give you a different feeling. The place is a great place to take selfies and capture the perfect moment; A truly incredible experience, almost like seeing it from a bird’s eye view.

When I reached the other end of the bridge, I was amazed by the view of Rathlin Island and even Scotland. Also, it was very close to the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Giant’s Causeway. More surprisingly, there were sea birds all over the sky. You will see them very spot, it is a beautiful and extraordinary feeling scene.

Apart from seabird watching, you can see basking sharks, dolphins and porpoises from the rope bridge. Keep an eye out for these cool creatures while exploring the area.

Since crossing the bridge is the main activity, many people bring along picnics to really make the most of their visit. This way, they can relax, sit and enjoy the beautiful scenery for a while. I thought it was a great idea and I might try it next time.

Oh yes, one unique thing you cannot miss is stargazing. Carrick-a-Rede is an incredible place where you can see really dark skies at night. It is one of only two sites in Northern Ireland to be awarded ‘Dark Sky Discovery’ status. Stargazing from Carrick-a-Rede is like entering a magical world filled with twinkling lights in a dark sky, but you have to stay overnight for that.

If you can’t stay the night, hang out there for a few hours and take a moment to soak it all in before heading back across the bridge. There is only one way back – across the bridge.

Once you’re back on the other side of the bridge, you can walk up the steps and follow a different path that goes over the hill. From there, you’ll see the bridge from a new angle before returning to the main path leading to the car park.

When I made my way to the rope bridge, I felt really happy and satisfied. The amazing view and the fun of crossing the bridge was with me. Although I was a little sad to leave early, I am grateful for the wonderful memories I made and the exciting time I had.

What Do You Need to Do Before Going?

If you are planning a trip to the rope bridge, here are some friendly tips for you:

1. Be sure to book your tickets in advance as they are now using a fixed ticket system. You can easily do it online through their website. Also, allow yourself an extra 15 to 20 minutes to walk from the car park to the bridge.
2. Parking is not free, but if you pay to cross the bridge, your ticket includes parking. Otherwise, it’s £10.
3. If you plan to visit Giant’s Causeway, Downhill Demesne, Mussenden Temple, Castle Ward and more, consider getting an annual membership card. This can save you some cash in the long run.
4. There are so many great attractions around Antrim! Take a quick drive to Whitepark Bay (8 mins), Dunseverick Castle (5 mins), or the ruins of Kinban Castle (a trek, but worth it for the view!) Also, Ballintoy Harbor (7 mins), Ballycastle Beach (6 mins), Giant’s Causeway (20 mins), Dunluce Castle (21 mins), Old Bushmills Distillery (18 mins) and Dark Hedges (19 mins).
5. Dress for the weather, especially since the rope bridge is outside. Wear warm, possibly waterproof clothing in winter and be prepared for some gusty winds in summer.
6. Don’t forget your camera, but keep it handy! It may not take you long to take pictures as the staff may ask you to move on.

And the lowdown on the rope bridge! If you’re traveling the Causeway Coastal Route, rest assured it’s now safe and one of the most stunning spots on the entire island of Ireland. Enjoy your adventure!