Carrick-a-Rede: a Rope Bridge & the Brightly Colored Ocean

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Back in the days, fisherman used to build bridges connecting the tiny island of Carrick-a-Rede to the mainland of Ireland in order to fish for salmon. Today, it’s pretty much a tourist attraction and has also been showcased in the filming of ‘Game of Thrones.’

One thing that I can say about Carrick-a-Rede is that it quite possibly has some of the most brightly colored ocean waters I experienced during all my travels throughout the Emerald Isle.

Located in County Antrim in Northern Ireland right next to the Giant’s Causeway, the rope bridge is accessible (weather permitting) after a bit of a coastal walk through cliffs and greenery. I thought for sure that I would miss the bridge, seeing as the weather was pretty crazy when I was there. Luckily, however, that day ended up being the best weather I had my entire trip!

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The bridge sways quite a bit, so if you’re insanely afraid of heights and/or plummeting to an early death you might consider avoiding it. Take my advice though, it is well worth the short walk across; the views from the other side of the mountain are spectacular! On a clear day like the one I had, I was able to see Scotland as well as coastal views for miles. Plus, I made it out alive, so you should, too! (The bridge is actually super sturdy and safe… I’m totally joking about plummeting into the ocean below!)

My new friends and I on the bridge!

Here’s one of the views you will have after crossing the bridge…. Scotland is visible to the right, although not in this picture…

Amazing!

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My time spent here at Carrick-a-Rede was great! I was so fortunate to have such a clear, non-rainy day that allowed my travel group and I to enjoy the gorgeous scenery of Northern Ireland!

A HUGE thanks to Shamrocker Adventures for hosting my travels and allowing me to walk across this crazy bridge! I definitely recommend YOU checking them out so you too can experience this!

About The Roaming Bean (109 Articles)
You're probably wondering what the heck is a "Roaming Bean"... Given that I am clearly not a Bean, and my name is Jen, what gives with this Bean thing, right? A friend of mine called me JenBean as a child, and it kinda stuck. Actually, it really stuck... even my license plate says Jenbean. And seeing as I have this grand lust to wander the world, The Roaming Bean seemed suitable. I've changed my career path more times than I have my underwear (minus all the times I've gone commando).... from animating, to forensic pathology, to international business, to fashion marketing and even to my wonderful and favorite of the bunch, degree in culinary arts, nothing kept my attention. Nothing was fun enough to do every day for the rest of my life. I mean, even though I cooked for celebrities in the heart of Hollywood, CA, why the hell would I want to sweat my ass off in a ridiculously HOT kitchen for most of the day and go home smelling like beef and onions? And the chef hat?? Do you know what that did to my hair?? Enter traveling.... The rainy day I descended down the tower of Notre Dame in Paris, gripping on to the railing for dear life so not to slip and tumble to an early death from the torrential down pour that was causing a small flood in the stairwell, my life changed. When I safely made it to the ground, legs shaky from an apparent lack of fitness it requires to walk up and down 387 steep stairs, I realized my hands were stained a delightful copper color from the rusted hand rail I had so dearly clung to. Desperate to get the icky stuff off my supple hands, and no running water in sight, I did what any other hopeless idiot would have done: I washed my hands in the nearest Parisian gutter. It was that moment that changed my life... I threw away my hair dryer, my rolling luggage and my dignity. I let my hair go natural, I bought a back pack and I CAMPED through Europe for a month and a half. Yes my friends, I crossed over into a savage traveling beast. Ok, a lot of people travel that way. But I didn't. And I'm so incredibly thankful for that rainy day in Paris that made me realize the world is a pretty sweet place. That realization led me on a quest; a quest to get out there, see things, soak up some local culture and eat my way around the world (with minimal food-related illnesses, such as but not limited to raging diarrhea).

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  3. I’m kinda jealous – you really lucked out with the weather!

    • Don’t get too jealous… I missed out on a lot while going through the Dingle Peninsula. The day in this picture was really the nicest day other than my trip to Inis Mór.

  4. AuntieConnie // May 7, 2013 at 2:32 pm // Reply

    That is truly beautiful water. Since you have been to both North and South Ireland, do you notice any differances in the people/culture?

    • Honestly, the only place I wasn’t crazy about was Belfast. I don’t like how they’re pretty much marking their territory with all the British flags and I don’t like how they (for the most part) are against the rest of Ireland. Super friendly people in Dublin and Galway, that’s for sure!!

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