Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge, Northern Ireland

Located in the northernmost corner of Northern Ireland near Ballintoy in County Antrim is the unique Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge that spans a narrow 98-foot deep chasm allowing access to a beautiful island. The 65-foot long bridge connects the mainland to tiny Carrick-a-Rede Island and, although it has been rebuilt several times over the years, a bridge has spanned this rocky area for almost four centuries.

Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge

From here you can actually see Rathlin Island and the Scottish isles!  The Mull of Kintyre is the most visible part of Scotland just beyond Rathlin.

An earlier bridge was just a single rope handrail and widely spaced slats used by fishermen to check their nets on the island, which provided great salmon fishing grounds until 2002.  In fact, the name is Irish for “rock of the casting.” The current two-handrailed bridge was erected in 2008 by the National Trust for an easier and safer crossing.

The views from the bridge and the island are spectacular, but warning signs also urge visitors to be careful.  There are few guards and railings on the island cliffs, so be sure to watch your step while exploring on marked paths.  Click here for a 360-degree view of the area.

There’s a 30- to 45-minute coastal walk up to Carrick-a-Rede, and there are some steep steps and stairs.  No one has been injured falling from the bridge, but some have feared the crossing back to the mainland.  What happens to them?  Click here to find out.

Afraid of heights? Not to worry.  The views from the mainland are just as beautiful as from the island.  Taking the rope bridge challenge just provides an adrenaline rush and another notch on your “I did it” belt!

As a reward for crossing the bridge, enjoy tea and cake and the lovely view at the WeighbridgeTearoom located on Carrick-a-Rede Island.

Rope Bridge to Carrick-a-Rede Island

The area around the bridge is also rich in geology, flora, and fauna diversity and is designated an Area of Specific Scientific Interest.  The island is one of the best examples of a volcanic plug in Northern Ireland.  Marine erosion has exposed an area of this geological wonder.

Noisy seabird colonies of fulmars, kittywakes, guillemots, and razorbills breed on the islands close to the rope bridge.  Sheep and cattle also graze in nearby meadows. Porpoises, dolphins, and sea lions have been spotted in the waters below, as well as a basking shark! 

Wild thyme can carpet the area in pink and at least three different types of orchids can be found around the sites as well as other wildflowers.  Even the Facebook page of the National Trust shows that the Northern Lights were visible from the nearby town of Ballintoy!

Other sites in the area include Larry Bane,once a chalk quarry in the mid-1970’s, but now an access point for a walk to the rope bridge and a 400-year-old restored fisherman’s cottage to show the connection between the bridge and a once thriving industry.

Locations around Larry Bane and Ballintoy have been used as sets for episodes of the highly popular HBO series Game ofThrones, such as Renly’s Warcamp.

Click here for a handy pdf map of the Carrick-a-Rede walking trail and bridge.  You’ll see that the walking path to the bridge is much longer than the walk over the bridge.

Join this visitor in his walk across Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge video to get a feel for life on the edge!

Ireland vs. Northern Ireland...What's the Difference?

Technically speaking, Ireland is the island.  But on this island are two separate political countries…the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland.  The Republic of Ireland is an independent sovereign nation.  Northern Ireland is part of the United Kingdom of Great Britain, which also includes Scotland, Wales, and England.

Until 1921, Ireland was one undivided country under British rule.  So why are they split? What started as a religious issue between the Protestants and the Catholics, has now become a social and cultural conflict.

Traditionally, Ireland is a Catholic country.  There are still Catholics in Northern Ireland, but when citizens of England and Scotland started emigrating to the northern part of Ireland 500 years ago, they brought their Protestant religion with them, so they feel more culturally linked to Great Britain through their Protestant ancestors.

(Remember England was also Catholic until King Henry VIII got mad at the pope in the 16^th century for not recognizing his marriage annulment from Queen Catherine so he could marry Anne Boleyn.  In defiance he “protested” and started the Church of England.)

Under pressure from the mostly Protestant population in the North to remain with the Protestant United Kingdom, the British and Irish governments forced the division of the island into the north and the south.

The IRA (Irish Republican Army) is a Catholic paramilitary organization whose goal is to force the British out of Northern Ireland.  This terrorist group organized in 1919 and is believed responsible for hundreds of deaths in the late 20^th century.

The period after 1968 is referred to as “The Troubles.”  British soldiers came in 1969 to restore order but unfortunately took sides and discrimination of Catholics continued.  Extremists from both sides took the law into their own hands resulting in thousands either killed or imprisoned.

Ireland governs itself, and so did Northern Ireland until the 1960s when the civil unrest forced Great Britain to impose Home Rule.  In the early 21^st century, Northern Ireland regained some of its independent government, but it continues to remain under British Sovereign law. 

There are also a few other differences.  For example, the Republic of Ireland uses the euro for its currency, while Northern Ireland uses the pound sterling as part of the United Kingdom.  In addition, speed limits in Northern Ireland are shown on signs as miles per hour, while Ireland uses kilometers.  And look at the mailboxes: Northern Ireland mailboxes are red, while those in the Republic of Ireland are green.  That helps you tell when you’ve crossed the border.

Regardless of their differences, the two countries both approved the Belfast Agreement, also known as the Good Friday Agreement, in 1998 which stated that the majority of the people of Northern Ireland want to remain a part of the United Kingdom and that a substantial number of people in Northern Ireland and most of the people of the island of Ireland want a united Ireland.

The agreement basically says that both viewpoints are equally legitimate and that the two countries will remain as they are until the majority of both Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland want the two united.  The political leaders Catholic John Hume and Protestant David Trimble later received the Nobel Peace Prize for their contributions.

However, in many places in Belfast, the lines are still drawn.  “Peace Lines” (walls topped by barbed wire) can still be seen segregating factions of Catholic supporters and Protestant supporters. 

Northern Ireland mural 

Although Northern Ireland is a more peaceful place, one can still see, especially in Belfast, territorial flags, murals, or curbstones painted red, white, and blue for Protestant Loyalists or orange, green, and white for Catholic Republicans.

Tourists are encouraged not to show any support to either faction while traveling through these areas by wearing group colors or waving union flags.  Just to be safe, avoid initiating conversation with locals on politics or religion, and shy away from political demonstrations or controversial parades.  It is best to err on the side of caution.

Today Northern Ireland is composed of six counties, while Ireland has 26 counties.  Confusingly, Northern Ireland is also a part of the province of Ulster (one of four ancient Irish provinces), which also includes three counties from the Republic of Ireland.

Still confused?  Watch this video “Get It Right” (1:16) and see just how “simple” it is!

The first half of this video from Rick Steves “Belfast and the Best of Northern Ireland” (26:08) explains a little more about Belfast and the Troubles. 

And if you are a history buff, you might like this entertaining video “A Brief History of the Conflicts in the North (of Ireland) (10:24).” It begins at THE beginning and carries you through to current times.  (Note: Remember to breathe somewhere in the middle of it.  It carries you pretty fast!)

Experience the Titanic’s Journey through Primary Resources

Worldwide newspaper coverage of the tragic event

Titanic Launch Ticket

Original ticket issued to Mr. David Moneypenny, a Harland & Wolff painter who worked on Titanic’s first-class accommodations.

Life Aboard the Titanic

Even though this is designed as a classroom resource, the original documents (enlarge to view) and the accompanying questions verify the various types of passengers who sailed on the Titanic. 

Eva Hart speaks about her memories of the Titanic . . survivor interview – video (13:06)

Eva Hart was 7 years old when she boarded the Titanic.  She survived with her mother, but her father was lost.  In this interview, Eva shares some of her memories.  She died at age 91 in 1996.

Shadow of the Titanic by Eva Hart

Her published written account.  Check your library.

A Titanic Survivor – video (4:00)

Millvena Dean was only 9 weeks old when she boarded the fateful ship; she was the youngest survivor…and the last survivor to die.  She died at age 97 in 2009.

Titanic survivors aboard the Carpathia

Titanic Survivors: What They Saw – video (4:14)

Interviews recorded in the 1970's and 1980's with survivors Frank Prentice (a crew member who jumped into the icy waters), Eva Hart, Edith Brown, Ruth Becker, and Edith Rosenbaum (an American returning home).

Eyewitness Account of the sinking of the Titanic, 1912

Titanic survivor and first-class passenger Dr. Washington Dodge provided a written statement about the Titanic tragedy aboard the Carpathia, the ship that rescued him and his family.  It was written shortly after his rescue on Carpathia stationery.  (Scroll down a bit and click on full transcript just above ‘Excerpt’ to read his entire account.)

First-Hand Accounts gathered by Southhampton City Council

Listen to recordings and read written accounts from passengers and stewards who survived the tragic sinking.

Titanic Primary Sources – pdf

A list of links to photographs, newspaper clippings, and handwritten accounts.  Scroll below the complete list for enlargements of each or click on the links to go to the original web sites.  Pop Quiz:  Can anyone identify the photo of the first lady on the list—Mrs. J.J. Brown?  What became her nickname after the sinking of the Titanic? Here is a transcript of her obituary from the New York Times in 1932.

New York Tribune, April 16, 1912

Front page coverage of the historic tragedy.  You can click above the page to convert to text or pdf for easier reading.  This is only one newspaper’s account.  The event received worldwide coverage.  Search for other newspaper’s accounts and see how they compare.

The Crash Scene

See the underwater remains of the ship sprawled across a thousand acres of the ocean floor through sonar imaging.  It shows that the ship broke in half before resting on the bottom of the Atlantic.  Click on the numbers to explore the debris field.

Unseen Titanic

National Geographic photos show the remains of the historic ship as it rests at the bottom of the sea as well as some of the recovered artifacts.

First-class passenger ticket on the Titanic

They Said It Couldn’t Sink

Within this article are several primary source documents to enlarge and read.

National Archives

Read some of the claims filed against the owners of the Titanic. 

List or Manifest of Alien Passengers for the Carpathia, June 18, 1912

Search the actual document listing passengers rescued by the Carpathia from the Titanic. 

Titanic Artifacts in the Museum’s Collection

The Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History has several artifacts related to the sinking of the Titanic.  This article only provides a list of items and information about them.  However, if you conduct an image search for an article by name, you might just see what it looks like.  One of the fascinating items and its story is the Bernice Palmer Ellis’ Kodak Brownie camera.