Just a short ferry ride from the County Antrim coast lies Rathlin Island — Northern Ireland’s only inhabited island and a sanctuary of seabirds, silence, and raw Atlantic beauty. With cliffs bustling with puffins in summer, ancient rocks once carved into tools by Stone Age people, and the famed “upside-down” lighthouse, it’s a walker’s dream.
How to Get to Rathlin Island
Hop aboard the Rathlin Island Ferry from Ballycastle. There’s a quick foot-passenger ferry or a slower vehicle ferry, both offering gorgeous views of the coastline and the cliffs of Fair Head. The crossing takes 30 to 45 minutes — and if you’re lucky, you might spot dolphins or seabirds en route. Ferries run year-round, but it’s wise to book in advance at rathlinballycastleferry.com.
The Walk to the Upside-Down Lighthouse
Most visitors head north to the seabird centre, but the 4-mile linear walk south from the harbour to the South Lighthouse is a quieter and equally rewarding adventure.
Start by choosing your route out of the village:
- Take the steep Church Brae climb past the chapel and famine memorial,
- Or the gentler lane past McCuaig’s Bar, where you can peek over a field wall at an ancient Standing Stone.
Either way, you’ll rise to a high plateau where open farmland, managed by the RSPB, supports breeding corncrake and choughs. These red-billed crows are rare in the UK and a thrilling sight for birdwatchers.
To the right, craggy outcrops attract buzzards and peregrine falcons, while marshes around Brockley provide habitat for herons and lapwings. Further inland, Kinramer Wood, a 50-year-old plantation, harbours species like sparrowhawk and short-eared owl. In spring and early summer, pyramidal bugles and orchids carpet the heathland with colour.
The final stretch to the lighthouse runs through Kebble National Nature Reserve, where the view across the sea opens out to Inishowen in Donegal and, on a clear day, even the Giant’s Causeway.
The “Upside-Down” Lighthouse
Rathlin’s southern lighthouse, built in 1919, is unique — its lantern is located at the base of the building, not the top. This inverted design helps guide ships along cliffs where high fog often obscured traditional lighthouses. Standing here, with waves booming far below and only seabirds for company, you’ll feel like you’ve reached the edge of the world.
The RSPB Seabird Centre (West Light)
If you head northwest instead, you’ll find the RSPB’s Seabird Centre at the West Lighthouse. The cliffs here support one of the UK’s most important nesting sites for puffins, guillemots, razorbills, and kittiwakes. The experience in spring or early summer is unforgettable — cliffs alive with sound, motion, and seabird drama.
You can walk (approx. 4 miles) or take the “Puffin Bus” from the harbour. Look out for grey seals hauled out on rocks en route.
Practical Info for Visitors
- Walking difficulty: The south trail is tarmac and gravel, but expect rough tracks, overhanging branches, and uneven surfaces.
- No formal footpath: This is a wild walk for independent explorers — bring sturdy boots and weatherproof gear.
- Facilities: There are no cafés beyond the harbour area, so bring snacks and water for your walk.
- Transport: Private vehicles are restricted; walking or the Puffin Bus are the main options.
Why Rathlin?
Rathlin isn’t just a day trip. It’s an immersion — into silence, wildlife, sea air, and long horizons. Whether you come for the seabirds, the slow pace, or the wind-whipped views from a cliff-edge lighthouse, Rathlin offers one of the most stirring coastal walks in Ireland.