Rathlin Island Review

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Rathlin Island

  • Address: 9½ km (6 mi) from Ballycastle, Ballycastle
  • Phone: 028/2076-9299
  • www.calmac.co.uk

Fodor's Review:

From Ballycastle town you have a view of L-shape Rathlin Island, where in 1306 the Scottish king Robert the Bruce took shelter in a cave (under the east lighthouse) and, according to the popular legend, was inspired to continue his armed struggle against the English by watching a spider patiently spinning its web. It was on Rathlin in 1898 that Guglielmo Marconi set up the world's first cross-water radio link, from the island's lighthouse to Ballycastle. Bird-watching and hiking are the island's main activities. Unless the sea is extremely rough, a ferryboat makes twice-daily journeys for £10. The trip can take up to 45 minutes; be mindful of the weather to ensure that you can return the same day.

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