Mysterious  Rathlin Island!      

Rathlin Island lies just 6 miles north of Ballycastle, eight miles long and less than a mile wide it  has for many years been considered part of the Glens. Legend tells us that this L-shaped treeless  island owes its origin to the mother of the great giant Finn MacCool. It is said that this great giant had drained Ireland dry of all its whiskey, so his mother headed off to Scotland to try and acquire some there. In her apron she carried "a mountain including trees, rivers and all" to use as a stepping stone to Scotland. Nearly half way across she tripped and fell, dropping her contents into the sea which formed the island with her pinned underneath it. Hence the old saying to this day when a storm blows up "The oul witch is kickin".

Rathlin with a population of around 100 people is a beautiful place to visit as there is much to see and many places to walk. The seven mile ferry crossing from Ballycastle takes under an hour (average about 45 mins)  before docking at the new harbour at Church Bay where there is usually a mini bus waiting to transport any holidaymakers around the island. Around Church Bay there is a public house serving snacks, a general store, a restaurant, a souvenir shop, a Cafe called Bruce's Kitchen ..... Open through the day, but best to book for evening eating,  Tel: Bertie at 207 63981.
 There is also a guest house which should be booked in advance for those who wish to stay a night or two, or you can pitch a tent in the nearby fields. Visitor's cars are restricted, so as a result the roads are quiet and are ideal for a nice walk or cycling.

Visit the new information centre in the old Boathouse not far from the harbour where leaflets can be obtained on walks and trails around the Island and discover the history and culture of this mysterious Island. The centre also has a souvenir shop sells books about the island and is open daily from Easter to the end of August.  

The Brockley tea room at the Manor House  is open daily from June for light
lunches and snacks.

Rathlin's wild coastline has claimed many ships and as there are over 40 wrecks recorded to date around the island, it has become one of the most popular attractions for diving enthusiasts.

Close to the entrance of the East Lighthouse is the site where Marconi with the help of his assistants , Kemp and Glanville set up the world's first radio transmission across the water to Ballycastle

Fishing trips arranged ..... 028 2076 3933.

Bicycle hire Tel: 028 2076 3954.

Visit  'The Shop' for a wide range of basic provisions for Picnics and campers.

Model Yacht racing on Ushet Lough is a tradition carried on from many years ago where competitors battle it out around the lough with their hand crafted yachts on all kinds of weather.

Probably best known for its impressive bird population ornithologists from around the globe come to watch the sea birds nesting in the steep cliff tops and rocky terrain around the Island. Census in 1985 seabird totals were:

 

	PUFFIN-- 2,896 pairs.
	RAZORBILLS-- 9,071 singles.
	GUILLEMOT-- 39,840-- individuals.
	KITTIWAKE-- 6,420 pairs.
	FULMARS-- 1,223 pairs.

Last census of breeding seabirds was in 1999 as part of the whole British
Isles survey 'Seabird 2000' figures indicate a much denser population than
previously, with some 95, 0000 guillemots.. 

Above the cliff tops stretches an area of  wild rough grassland and heathers, a lake and an area of marsh. These wet areas attract a variety of nesting waterfowl such as ducks , snipe, grebes and coots.

On the Kebble Nature Reserve there are thousands of birds of different species to be seen and the noise at times can be quite deafening. Halfway down the cliffs there is a viewing platform which can be a very good spot from where you can study most of these beautiful birds in their natural habitat. A mini-bus from Church Bay can take you to the Kebble Nature Reserve or the West lighthouse.

You should please note that the viewpoint is only guaranteed open by booking
with the wardens :207 63948. Some days it is closed. Also there are no
facilites there!     -come prepared.

The best time of the year to visit the bird sanctuary is at the height of the breeding season in early May to Mid July where the cliff faces and rocky shores are crowded with thousands of breeding seabirds.

One famous tale about Rathlin tells us that the Scottish King Robert the Bruce in 1306 was driven from Scotland by Edward 1 of England and he took refuge on the island , where it is said that he watched a spider building its web to bridge a gap and eventually it succeeded.  Bruce seeing this took heart from the spiders efforts and raised fresh forces, returned to Scotland and he too eventually succeeded to regain the crown of Scotland in 1314.

                        Click  Here  for Accommodation on Rathlin.

BALLYCASTLE - RATHLIN ISLAND FERRIES CROSSING DAILY.