Holiday rentals in Rathlin Island

A lushly green landmass off the coast of Northern Ireland and part of County Antrim, Rathlin Island is the only inhabited island in the region. The population may be tiny, with only around 150 permanent residents, but the dramatic 70-metre-high sea cliffs are home to huge numbers of seabirds, including colourful puffins that are delightful to observe from April to July. A cliff-top walking trail at Roonivoolin offers the opportunity to breathe in the sea air as you take in the dramatic, rocky coastline. Keep an eye out for Irish hare on the path, and you may be lucky enough to spot seals on the beach and Minke whales among the waves.

Just 10 kilometres long and 1.5 kilometres wide, the rugged yet tranquil region is part of the Glens Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Only four kilometres off the coast of the mainland, Rathlin Island is a popular addition to the Causeway Coastal Route. While the island’s soaring cliffs and incredible views are what draw visitors today, the island is steeped in rich history, which you can learn about at the Rathlin Island Boathouse Visitor’s Centre.

Many visitors come for the peak seabird nesting season — April to July — when the rugged cliffs and green meadows swarm with hundreds of thousands of birds raising their fluffy chicks on the rocky ledges. During the spring and summer, you’ll find the warmest weather, though the island never gets too hot or too cold. The Rathlin Sound Maritime Festival takes place each May, when Viking longboats and traditional Irish vessels sail from Ballycastle to the island. Music and dance, craft stalls, and delicious food are all part of the experience. The winter brings lower temperatures and higher winds, and this is a very quiet time on the island, with many businesses and attractions closed for the season.

West Light Seabird Centre

Rathlin is a special area of conservation for birdlife, with significant breeding colonies for guillemots, razorbills, fulmars, corncrakes, kittiwakes, great skua, and the rare red-billed chough. At the West Light Seabird Centre, open March through September, you can learn why Rathlin is so important to birdlife, and the substantial viewing platform has binoculars and telescopes to get a closer look at the different birds.

Boathouse Visitor Centre

Rathlin Island has a fascinating history dating back to the Mesolithic Period, which you can learn all about at the Boathouse Visitor Centre. Specifically, the centre celebrates its most famous legend: the 14th-century Scottish king Robert the Bruce fled to the island during his darkest time and was inspired by the perseverance of a spider weaving her web to retake his crown. The centre is open seven days a week from April to September, and you can also catch bus tours and hire bicycles here.

The Lighthouses

The unusual L shape of Rathlin Island means that it is home to not one but three lighthouses. The oldest, at the eastern end of the island, is situated on the cliffs above Robert the Bruce’s Cave. The classically striped Rue Lighthouse offers the opportunity to see seals basking on the rocks near the track. The West Lighthouse is Ireland’s only upside-down lighthouse — with the light at the bottom rather than the top. All three are part of the Great Lighthouses of Ireland Trail and have been keeping ships safe for over 100 years.