Carrick-a-Rede

Suspended at almost 30 metres above the Atlantic Ocean, the impressive Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge links the Northern Coast of Antrim to the small island of Carrick-a-Rede. This is an unforgettable experience for overseas student groups visiting Ireland, and a must-do outdoor experience when travelling the Causeway Coastal Route.

If you have some Game of Thrones fans among your group, they will be excited to know that the Larrybane Quarry, which is now used as the Carrick-a-Rede Bridge car park, once featured in one of the scenes of the HBO series.

Feeling adventurous? Here is why you should add this visit to your group trip:

• Cross the impressive 20 metres of Ireland’s most famous bridge, one of Northern Ireland’s hidden gems
• Take in the breathtaking views on this part of the Irish coastline feeling the bridge sway under your feet – Niamh from team CGH says: “This is not for those afraid of heights!”
• If you are courageous enough to look down, you can admire the crystal clear waters underneath and have the chance to perhaps see some wildlife
• Walk in the footsteps of Irish fishermen who started this crossing 250 years ago to go fishing for salmon on the isle of Carrick-a-Rede
• Once on the other side of the bridge, your group will get to enjoy the stunning views over the Atlantic Ocean and the coast from this fresh air attraction. On a clear day, you can even get a glimpse of Scotland and Rathlin Island!
• If some of your group members are not too comfortable with heights, they can still get to explore the site as far as the bridge and take in the beauty of the landscape that surrounds this unique place.

Interested about the story behind the Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge?

The first bridge was built 250 years ago by the local fishermen as a way of reaching the salmon rich waters surrounding the isle of Carrick-a-Rede. At the time, the bridge consisted of a single rope to help the fishermen cross, however the rewards often outweighed the dangers.

Here is how you can experience this attraction with CGH:

• From Dublin or Belfast: as part of the Game of Thrones day trip, where you’ll also get to see the Giant’s Causeway and Dunluce Castle.
• From Dublin: by organising coach hire and a tailormade day trip – we can include the visits and sites you want to see and focus on.

Did you know..?

Carrick-a-Rede, as well as the rest of the Causeway Coast, is a conservation area full of flora and fauna, home for many species also during the wintertime. For this reason, rangers constantly work to preserve this area. In addition to this, their duty is to build awareness amongst people and encourage them to take care of the nature around us, increasing their interest and respect for the outdoors.