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In 1887, John Bartholomew's Gazetteer of the British Isles described Rathlin like this:
Rathlin (or Raghlin, or Rahery), island and insular par., N. co. Antrim, off Fair Head, 5 miles N. of Ballycastle, 3398 ac., pop. 361; P.O., called Rathlin Island. The island is crescent or elbow-shaped, measuring about 5 miles between the extreme points (which are towards the mainland) and 1 mile in width, greatest alt. ...
449 ft. The general structure of the rocks is chalk and columnar basalt. Rathlin had a church founded by St Columba in the 6th century; was ravaged by the Danes in 790 and 973, and was the refuge of Robert Bruce in 1306. The remains of "Bruce's Castle" are situated on a lofty precipice. The inhabitants live chiefly by fishing. On Altacarry Head, the NE. point of the island, is a light-house 88 ft. high, with intermittent light (Rathlin) 243 ft. above high water and seen 21 miles.
Rathlin is now part of CAUSEWAY COAST AND GLENS District. Click here for graphs and data of how CAUSEWAY COAST AND GLENS has changed over two centuries. For statistics about Rathlin itself, go to Statistics.
How to reference this page:
GB Historical GIS / University of Portsmouth, History of Rathlin, in Causeway Coast and Glens and County Antrim | Map and description, A Vision of Britain through Time.
URL: https://www.visionofbritain.org.uk/place/29995
Date accessed: 08th April 2026
Click here for more detailed advice on finding places within A Vision of Britain through Time, and maybe some references to other places called "Rathlin".
