Carrick-A-Rede and a Rope Bridge

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When we first purchased our camper van, we drove around the coast of Northern Ireland. One of the places we visited was Carrick-a-rede which means 'a rock in the road'. It is a rocky outcrop lying in the path of the Atlantic salmon where they migrate west along the coast from June to September and was once the scene of a thriving fishery. The current brings the fish between the island and the mainland. By placing nets across the gap, the salmon were able to be caught relatively easily. A fishery was established in 1755, after a rope bridge was erected over the 60-foot chasm between the island and the mainland. Two rope cables were attached to large iron rings fastened to the rock on each side. Wooden planks were lashed to the cables to form a ladder. A single hand rope ran along one side. Someone would watch from the cliff and give the signal when he saw the fish approaching the net. The men on shore would pull the net closed and haul it towards the shore. The bridge was taken down every September and stored on the island. During the season the bridge would be crossed many times by men, women and children all carrying baskets of fish on their heads. Until the 1960s daily catches of up to 300 fish were recorded. Over-fishing, river pollution and other problems have resulted in the Atlantic salmon becoming an endangered species. The fishery closed in 2002. There is a small cottage on the island which has sheltered fishermen since at least the 18th century. There is now a permanent bridge across to the island with stringent safety measures in place. I enjoyed crossing to the island with the sea foaming way below my feet. Do you have trouble crossing such bridges? I know it would not suit many people.