Visit Rathlin Island.

Rathlin Island is an Irish island off the coast of County Antrim. It is considered to be the most northerly point in Northern Ireland. Wild, it offers sumptuous ocean views, and is home to a population of just a hundred or so! A must-see island if you’re looking for authenticity!

Visit Rathlin Island

An unspoilt island rich in relics!

Rathlin Island isn’t very big at 6km long and 4km wide. With the highest point being Slieveard, 134 meters above sea level, the island is a mix of mountains, plains, bays and beaches.

Access is via the port of Ballycastle, where shuttle buses will take you the 10 kilometers to the island. Note the possibility of travelling with 2 different types of transport:

• one with the Rathlin Express (a fast boat operated by Rathlin Island Ferry Ltd),
• the second with the MV Canna, a large Scottish ferry, where you can also make the trip with a vehicle (beware, the bill can be steep!).

Whichever you choose, you’ll reach the island’s main port, Church Bay, a vital hub for the locals, where food and mail are exchanged, as well as kelp production, an important part of the local economy. Also of note are the small, more tourist-oriented stalls…

Once you’ve arrived, you’re free to stroll around the island and discover its beauty. For the record, the island’s origins are believed to be volcanic, which is why Rathlin Island is still a hotbed of environmental preservation. This is where you’ll come across an astonishing population of birds of all kinds, from simple gulls to guillemots, puffins, crows and razorbills… They usually nest along the seashore, in the steep rocks of the island.

When it comes to sightseeing, you’ll be spoilt for choice, as the island is known for its many archaeological remains! The site was occupied by Vikings and Scots alike, before suffering numerous massacres in the 16th century between the English and the Irish, as well as numerous Scottish refugees. Among the archaeological sites, don’t miss :

• Rathlin West light
• a Viking ship now set in stone

Don’t hesitate to visit the island’s Visitor Centre, located in the heart of a local church, Boathouse Bay. The center offers guided tours by minibus, bike rentals and advice on how to get the most out of the island. Among them, we highly recommend a visit to its lighthouse, still in operation today: Rathlin Lighthouse.