Saturday, September 3, 2011

Northern Ireland--Carrick-a-Rede & Larrybane

Wherefore, be of good cheer, and do not fear, for I the Lord am with you, and will stand by you; and ye shall bear record of me, even Jesus Christ, that I am the Son of the living god, that I was, that I am, and that I am to come.  Doctrine and Covenants 68:6

Taking the exhilarating rope bridge to Carrick-a-Rede island and enjoying a truly clifftop experience is something the National Trust booklet suggested we do.  It says the chasm we traverse by a rope bridge, traditionally erected by salmon fishermen, is 30-metres deep and 20-metres wide.  This is located on North Antrim Coastal Path about seven miles from the Giant's Causeway, of which we shall intermingle pictures, though there is a post on the causeway later. 

We went specifically to Northern Ireland to drive the coast road and to see the Giant's Causeway and the rope bridge.  The name Carrick-a-Rede comes from the Scottish Gaelic, Carraig-a-Rade, which means the rock in the road.  The road is the sea route for Atlantic salmon on their westward journey past Carrick Island.  For over 350 years, fishermen have strung a rope bridge above the sea to allow them to access the best places to catch the migrating salmon.  
Many wildflowers were still blooming in this area as we hiked to the bridge
Bouquets of daisies for everyone to enjoy.



On the trail
Larrybane, or Laragh Ban, means the ancient white site, and is the name of the limestone headland lying to the west of Larrybane Bay.  An Iron Age fort stood on the headland around AD800.




People crossing the rope bridge



Show off
No, he isn't going to hold on like the rest of the sane people
No touch up or enhancement necessary here, it is just how it looks



On top of the island
Looking down on the way back over the rope bridge
Pretty bugs all over the flowers


Rope bridge in the distance
It rained a bit today as you can tell by our attire.  This giant's boot is part of the Giant's Causeway, which is a short distance from the rope bridge.
In the giant's boot at the Giant's Causeway





People kept giving Elder Blain Scottish money in Scotland that couldn't be spent except in Scotland and Irish money that only was accepted in Ireland--go figure.  They are still part of the U.K., so why different money?


1 comment:

  1. Great pictures. So beautiful. That rope bridge would freak me out!!

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