There is no successful stay on the Emerald Island without giving way to Northern Ireland and the beautiful scenery. It is much less well known than the site Giants Causeway Karik-a-Red And his Coir bridge It attracts thousands of tourists every year. But before crossing the stalled rope bridge, let us first look at its history

Imagine: turquoise water, soft green meadows, white rocks, sea as far as the eye can see, the song of the beaches, with a little luck, a big blue sky. Here you are on the site Karik-a-Red Larrybain, protected by the British Association National Trust Appointed for over 30 years Area of ​​special scientific interest, 1996 ASSI (Special Scientific Interest Area) of the Northern Ireland Department of the Environment. Not far from Giants Causeway, the natural site is two hours away from Belfast.

Larrybain, Where Larag Ban, Meaning “old white site”, refers to the limestone promontory on the west side of Laribane Bay. During the Iron Age, a fort was built in its place. Quarries from 1930 to 1970 destroyed most of the site, including the fort. Karik-a-Red (It comes from the Scottish Gaelic Carrieg-a-Raid) Means “Rock on the Road”, Or “rock on the road”. “THe is a rock “ The largest of the three islands, it is connected to the mainland by a rope bridge from April to September. “Path” The Atlantic employs the sea, the migratory route of salmon.

The Coir bridge, Witness to the history of fishermen

Yet being located in such a special place and not having everything, it is easy to understand the reason for the presence of the rope bridge. 350 years ago, Carolyn Redmond, manager of the Carrick-e-Red site, explains, Fishermen crossed this bridge to reach the best places for salmon migration. After a year in the depths of the North Sea, the main area of ​​their diet, salmon swim thousands of miles into their native rivers. Ban. They pass along the northern coast of Ireland Karik-a-Red Obstructing their way, they swim around this small volcanic archipelago.

Commercial Atlantic salmon fishing began here in the 1620s and continued until 2002. In the 1920s it increased from 300 fish per day to 200 per year. Initially, the nets were placed by boats, one end of which was attached to the ground, and the size of the net formed an arch to trap the salmon, a look that had previously fallen into the rocks. Sometimes stones were thrown to prevent the fish from escaping from the surrounding net. In the mid-1800s, a new type of net appeared in Scotland. Called “Bag net” It was used until 2002 due to its shape. Salmon fishing only takes place in the summer, and the bridge is taken and cleaned every winter to protect it from storm damage.
Even today, the sidewalk is impassable in winter and closed in bad weather. But tourists replaced the fishermen. “In 2009, Caroline Redmond explains, 247,000 people crossed the bridge.

Laura Behulier