East Lighthouse
The shortest of the three, hugging the coast east out of the harbour. A good first-evening stretch of the legs.
Home / The Island
Puffins, lighthouses
and long walks
Rathlin is small enough to walk across and wild enough that you will want to. Here is what is out there.
Seabirds
Thousands of puffins, every year
The RSPB West Light Seabird Centre is the headline act. Thousands of puffins arrive annually, alongside guillemots, razorbills, kittiwakes and fulmars packed onto the stacks below the upside-down lighthouse.
Peak viewing falls around mid-May, mid-June and late July. Choughs and skylarks work the cliff-top trails in the south, and Irish hares turn up on walks all over the island.
- Admission
- £5 adults · £2.50 children
- Open
- 10am–5pm, March to September
- Getting there
- 7km walk, or the minibus — £5 adults, £3 children
- Please note
- Admission and minibus costs may vary — please check before you travel.
On foot
Three lighthouses, three walks
There are many intriguing, beautiful walks on the island. The main walks are to the three lighthouses, which are all easily accessible on foot.
South Lighthouse
South along the shore, with the Roonivoolin Trail and its cliff-top choughs and skylarks branching off.
West Light Seabird Centre
The long one, out to the RSPB centre and the famous upside-down lighthouse. Minibus available if you would rather not walk both ways.
Ballyconagan Trail
Off-road walking through the middle of the island, away from the roads entirely — one of the many walking trails on Rathlin.
Eat, drink, see
The rest of the island
McCuaig's Bar
A homely, family-run bar and restaurant overlooking the harbour. The social centre of the island.
The Manor House
A charming, historical Georgian manor house built in the 18th century, overlooking the harbour. As well as a guest house it has a fully licensed restaurant open to the public. Please contact them directly to book meals — booking well in advance is advisable. 028 2076 0046 · reception@manorhouserathlin.com
Boathouse Visitor Centre
The island's story — its ship wrecks, its people, its wildlife. Free to enter.
Bike hire
Available through Soerneog View Hostel — the quickest way to cover the island without a car.
Island Treasures & the Cooperative
Souvenirs, the post office and the island shop for anything you forgot to pack.
Playground
A five-minute walk from the glamping site — useful to know with children in tow.
Opening hours vary with the season. The Boathouse Visitor Centre closes for lunch between 12:30 and 1pm — 028 2076 0054.
Planning your trip
Rathlin360
If you are looking for some help with planning your trip to Rathlin, please visit the Rathlin360 website for further information and contact details for most facilities available on Rathlin.
After dark
No streetlights. That's the point.
There is almost no light pollution out here. On a clear night, from a chair beside the firepit, you can see a sky most people never get to see — and it costs nothing at all.
Make a few days of it
Pods are available for one-night stays, apart from July and August, when a minimum of two nights may apply to Pod One and to weekends across all four pods. No other restrictions apply.