Rathlin Island: Northern Ireland's Only Inhabited Offshore Island
Rathlin Island is six miles off the north Antrim coast and home to about 150 people. It is Northern Ireland's only inhabited offshore island and one of the most important seabird sites in Europe. Puffins, guillemots, razorbills, and kittiwakes nest on the western cliffs from April to August. The rest of the year, Rathlin is just wind, sheep, and quiet.
The island is L-shaped, about 10 kilometres long, with a harbour at the south-eastern corner and the RSPB Seabird Centre at the western tip. In between there is one road, a handful of houses, Robert the Bruce's cave, and an upside-down lighthouse. It is a place where the mobile signal drops out and the pace of life adjusts accordingly.
What to Expect
The ferry from Ballycastle takes 45 minutes and runs several times daily in summer. Pre-booking is essential - the boats are small and sell out on good weather days. The crossing can be choppy in anything above a light breeze.
From the harbour, most visitors head to the RSPB Seabird Centre at the west end of the island. It is 6 kilometres on the road - about 1.5 hours walking or 30 minutes by bike. A community bus runs in summer (check at the harbour). The Seabird Centre has viewing platforms overlooking the cliff colonies. From May to July, the puffins are the star attraction - thousands of them nesting in burrows on the cliff top.
The Upside Down Lighthouse at the west end is unique. Built in 1919, the light is at the bottom of the cliff rather than the top because fog often obscured a cliff-top light. The lantern hangs from a gantry over the cliff edge. It is an extraordinary piece of engineering in an extraordinary location.
Robert the Bruce's cave is on the north-east coast. Legend says Bruce hid here in 1306 after his defeat by the English and watched a spider try and fail to build its web six times before succeeding - inspiring him to return to Scotland and fight again. The cave exists but is only accessible by boat.
The honest negative: if the weather turns the ferry cancels and you are stuck. Always check the forecast and have a backup plan. The island has limited accommodation if you are stranded overnight. Also, the walk to the west end is long and exposed - if the weather is poor, it is a wet and windswept 6-kilometre hike with no shelter.
How to Get There
The ferry departs from Ballycastle harbour. Ballycastle is about 1 hour 15 minutes from Belfast via the A26 and A44. Parking at the harbour is pay-and-display.
Pre-book the ferry through Rathlin Ferry (rathlinballycastleferry.com), especially in summer. There is no car ferry for visitors - leave your vehicle in Ballycastle. On the island, hire a bike from the harbour or walk. The community bus to the RSPB centre runs in summer.
Where to Stay Nearby
Rathlin has limited accommodation - book well ahead in summer. Most visitors do a day trip from Ballycastle. The County Antrim hub covers mainland accommodation.
The only proper guest house on the island. Book early - there are very few beds on Rathlin and this fills fast in summer.
Check availability →What Else is Nearby
A Note on the History
Rathlin has been inhabited for at least 9,000 years. Neolithic axe heads made from Rathlin flint have been found across Britain and Ireland, evidence of a prehistoric trade network. The island was raided by Vikings in 795 AD - one of the first recorded Viking attacks in Ireland.
The Robert the Bruce connection dates to 1306. After defeat at the Battle of Methven, Bruce is said to have sheltered in a cave on Rathlin's north coast. The spider legend - try, try again - became one of the most famous stories in Scottish history. Whether Bruce was actually on Rathlin is debated, but the cave is real and the tradition is firmly established.
Frequently Asked Questions
