One of Ireland's first inhabited islands.
Wild, rugged and extremely beautiful, Rathlin Island was inhabited as far back as 6000 BC and over the centuries grew rich, exporting axe heads and sea kelp, and later became a haven for smugglers.
Robert the Bruce found courage here, Richard Branson crash landed here, and Marconi transmitted the first commercial radio signals from Rathlin. The heritage centre explains this lo and illustrious history and throws light on the island's historic treasures such as the Iron Age fort, 14th century castle, and 16th century tower house.
Rathlin is surrounded by towering limestone and basalt cliffs, home to Northern Ireland's large seabird colony of guillemots, kittiwakes, razorbills, fulmars and puffins. Seals ply the shores and an abundance of shipwrecks make the waters here ideal for wreck diving. Inland, the quiet roads make perfect walking and cycling territory with stunning views as far as Scotland on a clear day.
Music, song and dance remain at the heart of community life with regular ceilis and festivals throughout the summer, model yacht racing and a Writers’ Weekend in September.
Highlights
Iron Age fort, standing stones, Robert the Bruce’s Castle, Mc Donnell's tower house, Manor House, heritage centre, lighthouses, bird sanctuary, seal colony.
Activities
Walking; cycling; sea-angling; diving; birdwatching.
Address
Ballycastle Tourist Information Centre
Sheskburn House
7 Mary Street
Ballycastle
Antrim
Northern Ireland