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High Stakes

Rope access crews take on the jobs no-one else can - scaling cliffs, towers and ships across Northern Ireland. This is high stakes, big heights and serious skill.

Rope access is one of the most dangerous and specialised trades in the world. When scaffolding can’t reach, cranes aren’t an option, and ladders are out of the question, highly trained professionals are called in to get the job done.

We follow some of Northern Ireland’s most experienced rope access crews as they take on jaw-dropping challenges - from stabilising a crumbling cliff face above one of the country’s busiest roads, to scaling Ireland’s tallest structure to fix a vital aircraft warning light.

We meet veteran climber Andrew Marshall, father-and-son duo John and Christopher Kelly, newcomer Jack McCullough, and Claire Lundy as they face high-stakes jobs in extreme conditions. Whether clinging to cliffs, installing a replica RMS Titanic chandelier high above the Titanic Museum floor, or braving the gruelling three-hour ascent of a 1,000-foot mast in Strabane with a storm closing in, these specialists go where others fear to tread.

At the Gobbins, one of Northern Ireland’s most dramatic tourist attractions, the team works on the very edge as they carry out critical safety work to keep the iconic cliff path open to the public.

This is a rare glimpse into the world of rope access, where unsung heroes take on the toughest jobs in the toughest places, armed with nothing but ropes, experience and nerve.

Release date:

28 minutes

On TV

Mon 7 Jul 2025 22:40

Broadcast