A recent poll whose results i posted elsewhere naming the top must-see sights in the UK had the Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge in County Antrim, Northern Eire listed as must-see site #2, just behind Alnwick Castle, near Berwick-upon-Tweed in England.

I have heard of this 'rope bridge' but know little of it - have any FodorFriends walked over this thing

Is it frightening - any experiences and how to get there would be appreciated.

thanks

It's owned by the National Trust.
(www.nationaltrust.org.uk). I went there last year and walked across it (you need to go across twice because, once you reach the island, the only way back is across the bridge). It's perfectly safe, but slightly scary. There is an admission charge and there are staff on hand who will presumably help if anyone is too frightened.
I got a bus from the Giant's Causeway, then continued by bus to Ballycastle where I was staying. Bus schedules are on www.translink.co.uk.

According to the Constitution of the Republic of Ireland, the English for the Republic of Ireland is...Ireland.

"Eire" is Irish, and should be used only when speaking Irish - which few do in Chippewa Country (as the rightful inhabitants of Michigan would call it if they were able to).

And, according to the governmernt of the Republic of Ireland, Antrim isn't in the Republic. The Republic dropped its absurd claim to that effect years ago, and has recognised the democratic right of the majority population of the North to decide for themselves, without foreign interference, who's going to govern them.

So what's this silly, ill-informed and offensive nonsemnse about "Northern Eire"?

just wanted to raise your 'eire' flanner ole chap.

where did you get that Chippewa crap? Just one of several Native American tribes in the mitten.

flanneruk wrote: "According to the Constitution of the Republic of Ireland, the English for the Republic of Ireland is...Ireland.
"Eire" is Irish, and should be used only when speaking Irish"

The constitution says: "The name of the state is Eire, or, in the English language, Ireland." I don't see that "Eire" should be used only when using Gaelic -- just that it should not be used in English. There are a gazillion other languages where "Eire" might be used.

P-Bob's usage was ill-informed, but to take offence at an ill-informed usage involves going the extra mile. For my part, I don't get vexed when people refer to Northern Ireland as "Ulster" even though I live in Ulster but not in NI.

I confess I didn't notice that PalenqueBob had made a mistake in the title. Almost everyone is confused by the geographic terminology. County Donegal, for example, is in Ulster but not in Northern Ireland, yet it is the northern-most county of Ireland.

There are several rope bridges like this one in Costa Rica. Some are scary and sway quite a bit. I haven't heard of any collapsing but the swaying could make you "sea sick".

Carrick-a-rede does not sway all that much. It was very windy when I was there a few weeks ago, but there was not a lot of movement on the bridge. The bridge isn't that long and feels more solidly constructed than some I have been on in Central America (probably because it's shorter). I'm surprised it ranked #2. There are some nice views up there, but the bridge itself isn't all that special. If you do go, make sure you go to Giant's Causeway and Dunluce Castle, too! They are all fairly close together.

What is the purpose of this rope bridge - just for tourists - it seems only to go to an island.

Is it old?

Not seeing why it was so highly rated, especially being in a remote part of Eire (referring to the Irish Republic) to which it should be a part of)

I don't know why it's so highly rated. It just goes to a small island. A rope bridge was originally used by fisherman to get over to the island, and it gradually became a tourist attraction. I found the bridge itself to be nothing special, but it is a nice walk (about 1 km from the parking lot to the bridge) and there are scenic views from the island and bridge. I found Giant's Causeway and Dunluce Castle to be much more interesting.

>>especially being in a remote part of Eire (referring to the Irish Republic) to which it should be a part of)>>

why what's wrong with it being part of Northern Ireland?
I really hope you're not giving your political opinion without any knowledge or first-hand experience in Ireland.

I agree with parts of Flanneruk and padraig, but i must say Northern Eire is a ridiculous title to give it.
Even staunch nationalists don't call it "Northern Eire".

Besides that, the bridge is nothing special, apart from its surrounding scenery.
Quite surprised that it would be listed and not the Giants Causeway.

I think that if the English had their druthers it would be part of Eire proper but that's another story.

In OP i purposefully used Eire to raise flanneruk's ire because he has given me that lecture a couple of times before. Just being devious - whether Northern Ireland should be part of Eire or not is not relevant here.