History of vikings in ireland ancient irish history timeline. As northern irelands only inhabited offshore island it is home to a spectacular array of wildlife located five miles north of ballycastle on the north antrim coast. It is northern irelands northernmost point though not that of either the island of ireland, or ulster, which in both cases is malin head in county donega. Roman catholic parish in ballycastle, county antrim. Jc becketts overview is an important milestone in irish historiography, a lucid combination. Rathlin island, located on the northeast coast its only a short distance from. Marconi, rathlin island and a new way with words bernie mcgills new novel the watch house is inspired by rathlins role in the early days of wireless telegraphy. Sailing from new york, she set out to determine the condition of the irish poor and discover why so many were emigrating to her home country. Rathlin, an island and parish, in the barony of carey, county of antrim, and province of ulster, 65 miles n. With the reopening of the rspb seabird centre and first time access to the rathlin west lighthouse, its a unique visitor experience not to be missed. Books are delivered by william galloway from ni libraries, who travels to the island off northern. Book your tickets online for rathlin island, rathlin island. Rathlin island 2020 what to know before you go with. Rathlin island northern ireland archaeological monographs.
It is home to tens of thousands of seabirds, including kittiwakes, puffins and razorbills about thirty bird. Augustine gusty mccurdy author of the book rathlin s rugged story maps and information about the island how life used to be island quilt depicting some local history. Rathlin island travel northern ireland lonely planet. Rathlin island sits off the north coast of ireland, its closest point is approx. Search strategy edit edit source search for the relative or ancestor you. In 2015 the parish developed a project to address urgent repairs to the church of the immaculate conception in order to preserve the fabric of the building and also to increase its accessibility by providing universal toilet facilities. It would be easy to see the history of rathlin island as an interlinked chain of slaughter and massacres and one might wonder how the islanders held on to their rock until this day. He was married to mary horan in rathlin island, co antrim, ireland.
The island visitor centre and museum, the boathouse, situated a short walk from the harbour in church bay, contains a wealth of artefacts, photographs and information about rathlin s history and life on the island. Island boathouse visitors centre rathlin island, county antrim. Rathlin island 2020 what to know before you go with photos. Rathlin island topographical dictionary of ireland 1837.
Northern ireland history, irish history, books barnes. Rathlin island northern ireland archaeological monographs series editor b. Belfast to rathlin island 3 ways to travel via train. Rugged rathlin island sits 6km offshore from ballycastle. Rathlin is northern irelands only inhabited offshore island, located north of ballycastle. The following information is a starting point for records about the civil parish of rathlin island. Rich in history and cited by the annals of ulster as the site of the first viking raid in ireland, the volcanic island of rathlin, off the north antrim coast, boasts 230foot tall cliffs and the famous bruces cave. It is also the closest point to scotland and is 11 miles from the mull of kintyre. Rathlin island books in an independent book publisher, based on rathlin island, co antrim. This publication presents the results of an archaeological survey of rathlin island commissioned by the northern ireland environment agency which took place from 2002 and 2007. The males from rathlin island, who lived not long after metallurgy was introduced, showed a different pattern to the neolithic. Rathlin island was used as a sanctuary because of its natural defences and rocky shores. Rathlin island is situated off the north east coast of ireland, and is the only inhabited offshore island in northern ireland.
Rathlin was probably the first irish island to become inhabited, it is presumed man arrived here somewhere between 6000 5000bc from scotland. Rome2rio makes travelling from belfast to rathlin island easy. A margaret mccurdy b1894 ballynagard, rathlin island co antrim n ireland married john black son of james black. Rathlin island has a population of about 150 people, half of whom use a mobile library service. Rathlin island lies five miles off the north antrim coast between ireland and scotland and although small has been occupied continuously since the mesolithic period c. The island visitor centre and museum, the boathouse, situated a short walk from the harbour in church bay, contains a wealth of artefacts, photographs and information about rathlins history and life on the island. The illicit irish homemade spirit, poitin was frowned upon by the catholic church, which made its manufacture grave enough of a sin to require a bishops absolution rather than that of the regular parish priest. The following are a list of book titles relating to co.
The ferry to rathlin island travels just six miles across the sea of moyle. But then there is a certain ruggedness here, a resilience that underlies everything. Spend time in the boathouse visitor centre for a dip into rathlins history read more. A dna analysis of them challenges conventional history. This island, which is situated off the northern coast of antrim, nearly opposite to the town of ballycastle, in lat. Rathlin island civil parish, county antrim, northern ireland.
Facebook rathlin island books is a small independent publishing company set up on the island in 2011. The history of rathlin island the giants causeway tour. Augustine gusty mccurdy author of the book rathlins rugged story maps and information about the island how life used to be island quilt depicting some local history. This island is six miles long, one mile wide, l shaped and home to a slowly increasing population of around 140 people. Reachlainn is an island and civil parish off the coast of county antrim of which it is part in northern ireland. Dec 28, 2015 ancient dna sheds light on irish origins. An island steeped in history and folklore, it is the perfect spot for a family day out. Yes, it rained during our visit and yes, the walk was hilly and tiring but oh my, the views local people that we met were friendly and welcoming, interested in us and eager to chat. Rathlin island wikimili, the best wikipedia reader. It is roughly seven miles in length and covers a total area of 3500 acres. Book your tickets online for the top things to do in rathlin island, county antrim on tripadvisor. Its cliffs, of limestone and basalt, rise at slieveacarn to 449 ft 7 m. Guide to rathlin island catholic parish, county antrim ancestry, family history, and genealogy.
Guide to rathlin island civil parish, county antrim, northern ireland ancestry, family history, and genealogy. Ballycastle, antrim genealogy heraldry and history. Columba is said to have founded a church there in the 6th cent. Margaret mccurdy being the daughter of donald and mary mccurdy ballynagard am wondering whether your grandma may have been a sister to this john black in which case it might be worth a look at the black families from rathlin island. It is eight miles long and less than one mile wide. The illicit irish homemade spirit, poitin was frowned upon by the catholic church, which made its manufacture grave enough of a sin to require a bishops absolution rather than that of. Rathlin west light seabird centre northern ireland. Numerous shipwrecks have given the waters of rathlin sound a reputation as a graveyard. Dec 17, 2019 the vikings, who were referred to as heathens, first appear in the annals of ulster 795ad compiled by the monastic movement in ireland. As northern ireland s only inhabited offshore island it is home to a spectacular array of wildlife located five miles north of ballycastle on the north antrim coast. A photo of mccuaigs bar on rathlin island in northern ireland. In the past it has been fought over, bought and sold, raided and blockaded. The lighthouse tower now contains exhibits on rathlins marine life and history. Later in the century, it passed into the possession of the bissets.
The burning of rechru by the heathens, and sci was overwhelmed and laid waste. James mcauley was an inland revenue officer on sons death cert. Rome2rio is a doortodoor travel information and booking engine, helping you get to and from any location in the world. While visiting the island in august 2010, with the help of our good friend errol walsh of glenarim, i was put in touch with historian and relative augustine mccurdy. Rathlin is northern irelands only inhabited offshore island, located. Although we dont know the exact dates, its estimated that the first settlers arrived on the island somewhere between 60005000 bc.
It is northern ireland s northernmost point though not that of either the island of ireland, or ulster, which in both cases is malin head in county donegal. Rathlin island 2020 all you need to know before you go. May 03, 2012 rathlin island northern ireland archaeological monographs series editor b forsythe, wes on. It can also claim to have a gruesome history as it was the scene of several major massacres of the population. The 5 best things to do in rathlin island 2020 with. Irelands welcome to the stranger also on kindle is an american widows account of her travels in ireland in 184445 on the eve of the great famine. Situated just off the coast of ballycastle it is home to one of the largest bird sanctuaries in northern ireland. Rathlin island is northern irelands only inhabited offshore island and home to a spectacular array of wildlife located five miles north of ballycastle on the north antrim coast. Rathlin island lies six miles off ballycastle in northeast ireland and 16 miles from the mull of kintyre in scotland. Its located at rathlins upsidedown west lighthouse the lamp is at the buildings base. Built into the cliff face, the lighthouse was a feat of engineering when it was completed in 1919.
Rib specialises in local interest books, and has so far published two titles. Rathlin island civil parish, county antrim, northern. Historic fortress off the north coast of ireland on. Explore rathlin island holidays and discover the best time and places to visit. Rathlin island shipwreck by ian wilson, and the call of the running tide by the late wallace clark. Kebble and kinramer nature reserves rathlin island, county antrim. The making of modern ireland 16031923 by jc beckett. Find all the transport options for your trip from belfast to rathlin island right here. Parish registers, transcripts, baptism records, marriage records, and burial records. I have been able to successfully trace our lineage back to rathlin island in northern island.
Jun 08, 2017 it would be easy to see the history of rathlin island as an interlinked chain of slaughter and massacres and one might wonder how the islanders held on to their rock until this day. A short walk from the harbour is the boathouse visitor centre, where visitors can discover some of the exciting history, learn about present day. Shaped like a boot, made with layers of basalt on limestone on the higher parts. This remote island is dotted with intriguing shipwrecks and is also a haven for seabirds.
Rathlin island must be one of the most beautiful places in the entire world. Reachlainn 2 is an island and civil parish off the coast of county antrim of which it is part in northern ireland. Ferries travel there regularly from ballycastle and should a bed and a pint be required, you wont be short of accommodation and a pub or two. Rathlin is one of fortythree special areas of conservation in northern ireland.
The rathlin island massacre took place on rathlin island, off the coast of ireland on 26 july 1575, when more than 600 scots and irish were killed. Because of its geographical position, rathlin has long had associations with both ireland and scotland, and it once lay at the heart of the ancient kingdom of dal riada. Situated off the coast of county antrim, the rugged and picturesque landscape of rathlin island is a sight to behold. The work forms part of a wider programme that includes surveys of the seabed, foreshore and coastal environments of northern ireland on behalf of the agency. Rathlin island catholic parish, county antrim, northern. It is surrounded by limestone and basalt sea cliffs reaching 470 ft.
Church of the immaculate conception, rathlin island. The centre is a good source for information about the island, including tourist information, local history, exhibits, books, souvenirs and much more. Our tale takes place on rathlin island the most northern point of northern ireland off the coast of county antrim. Discover more about rathlin island, found just off the famous causeway coastal route.
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