Carrick-a-Rede 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 30 meters above the sea to allow them to access the best places to catch the migrating salmon. The bridge is still used during the salmon season these days. However, there are now very few salmon left. Almost 300 fish were caught per day back in the 1960s, only 300 were caught over the entire season 2002.
Today, the bridge is mainly used as a tourist attraction, presenting a challenge to thousands visitors every year, coming to enjoy amazing view and high thrills.