Carrickarede is an islet just off NI's rugged northern coast. It is the weathered remnant of a 60 M year old volcanic plug.

 

In the 1750s fishermen found out that it was a good place to catch Atlantic salmon en route to the local spawning rivers.
For easy access from the mainland a 20 meters long rope bridge, dangling 30 meters above the treacherous waves was build. 
But by the early 21st century the salmon had changed their migratory track and the fishing business stopped.

 

The place is now owned and maintained by the National Thrust and has become a tourist magnet with almost half a million visitors per annum. In high season people line-up on both sides of the bridge to brave the not so dangerous crossing.

 

From the parking lot it is a 1 km very scenic trail to the waiting line at the rope bridge. 

 

Several species of seabird call Carrick a Rede home, like kittiwakes, guillemots and razorbills and in the water you may spot the occasional dolphin.

 

We crossed that bridge in June 2018.