Rathlin is the only inhabited offshore island of Northern Ireland, with a steadily growing population of approximately 150 people, and is the most northerly inhabited island off the coast of the island of Ireland. I’ve now been to 21 islands between Ireland and the UK. A short ferry from Ballycastle, a good weather day, the rain started as I was heading to the pub after 8 miles.
Art on the Ballycastle beach
And the harbor as we left it.
This outcropping just outside Ballycastle harbor might get investigated if I can find the route.
Entering Rathlin
There was a bus (£3 return) waiting as we debarked that took us to a lighthouse and bird sanctuary. Hoping for puffins but alas too late in the season, they’re out to sea. I didn’t see the point of paying £5 to see the view from the lighthouse so I headed past some grazing cows to see the cliffs from a better angle.
The cliffs and rock outcroppings were shorter than the Cliffs of Moher but still impressive.
It really pays to get off the beaten path
Even though I had a return ticket , I decided to walk the 4-5 miles back to the start so that I could see what you don’t from a bus and hear the sounds like the wailing that the wind made through fencing and the smells of flowers, ocean & manure. That I didn’t step on much less slip on a cow pie was amazing.
This freshwater pond is used for cattle & sheep
Kebble ( Gaelic for chapel) Cottage is reputed to be the most haunted place on Rathlin.
And yes, there are trees on Rathlin. In the higher and closer to the water areas the winds have kept foliage to about a meter maximum height. And the Hardy Fuschia was huge and in full bloom.
And when I heard his song, I found this wee robin
Heather and gorse
I had noticed on this an other islands, dead cars and trucks. It dawned on me that it was probably too expensive to have them carted & ferried to the mainland so are often used as storage. This was creative though, a greenhouse full of tomato plants!
Looking down from the road on the village and harbor
Church of the Immaculate Conception, RC.
As I got back to the start the wind began to really kick up and the sky broke. Luckily I found cover realizing it was not going to last, but a few 100 meters away I saw this roof sign and as soon as the rain let up and with nearly 2 hours before the ferry left, the siren song of Guinness called quietly to me.
And these exercise machines on the shoreline seemed pretty convenient for locals.
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