Tickets Now Required to Cross Northern Ireland's Famous Rope Bridge
For some people, a trip to Ireland is largely about one thing: the beer. And it's certainly easy to while away an entire week in Dublin and not see much more than the inside of any number of the city's charming pubs. But for more outdoorsy types, Northern Ireland offers a number of al fresco adventures. One of its most popular destinations is the Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge, a nearly 70-foot-long rope bridge suspended 100 feet above the Atlantic that was first constructed in 1755.
While teetering across a nearly 300-year-old rope bridge may not be everyone's idea of a good time, it's enticing enough that it drew the largest number of visitors ever last year. (It's not hurting tourism that Game of Thrones has done some shooting in the area lately, too.) As the weather warms up, BBC reports that the National Trust — which oversees the bridge — is anticipating even more record-breaking crowds. So that you don't get stuck behind the world's slowest traverser — or someone who understandably gets a little nervous when they realize that the bridge is just 18 inches wide — visitors to Carrick-a-Rede will now need to purchase a timed ticket if they want to make the trek across the famous walkway, which can only accommodate eight people at a time.
Tickets — which will cost about £7 (~$9) per adult, £3.50 (~$5) per child, or £17.50 (~$23) per family — are only available for purchase on site the day of your visit. Sales begin at 9:15am for a 9:30am crossing. Visitors will have one hour to make their way across the bridge. While an hour to cross the bridge may seem like a lot of time, just wait until you look down.
H/T: BBC