The Old Bushmills Distillery & Carrick-a-Rede

It was probably not the wisest decision we made; visiting a whiskey distillery, and then trying to walk over a rope bridge, especially as we were given a dram of 20 year old malt whiskey each!!!

The Bushmills Distillery is the oldest licensed whiskey distillery in Ireland. As early as the 13th C, there is mention of Uisce Beatha - The Water of Life in Gaelic - being made in the area around Bushmills. In 1608 it was officially granted its licence to distill whiskey.

Bushmills Malt Whiskey and Scotch Malt Whisky share a long history and there are many similarities in the way they are made. However, aside from the inclusion of an 'e' in the spelling of Irish Whiskey, they differ in two other important aspects: The absence of a smoky taste in Irish Malt Whiskey. In Scotland, the malted barley acquires a peat smoke character as it is being dried, giving the Scotch Malt Whisky a smokey flavour. In Ireland, the malted barley is traditionally dried in closed kilns without introducing smoke. The resulting absence of a smoky taste in Irish Malt Whiskey allows the subtle malt honeyed flavours to shine through (so I am informed).

Irish Whiskey is distilled three times and Scotch Whisky is distilled twice.

A good brisk walk along the northern headland of Antrim brings you to the rope bridge at Carrick-a-Rede. The beauty of the surroundings speeds you on your way, your eye being continually attracted across the sea to the distant Scottish isles of Arran, Ailsa Craig and the Mull of Kintyre peninsular.

This photo shows the old rope bridge being hoisted up by fishermen in preparation for the summer months of fishing in 1967. It only had a single hand rope and yet the fishermen crossed it daily without any fear, carrying their catch and bits and pieces of fishing gear, just using one hand to guide them. When you cross the bridge you are actually walking over the mouth of an ancient volcano.

You can just make out the bridge crossing the gap between the two pieces of land.

two images via wikipedia

Today the rope bridge is a much more sturdy affair; the original bridge would definitely have been given a miss by me.

The rope bridge from the other side after crossing.

This one is for 'Parnassus' who asked for a photo looking down from the bridge. I did not show it previously because it is not very good. Quite difficult to take a photo on a very wobbly bridge with people marching across. There is the added difficulty that you have to balance yourself very carefully as you cannot hold on to anything whilst taking a photo!!! This is the best I could do Jim.