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.
GB Historical GIS / University of Portsmouth, History of Rathlin, in and County Antrim | Map and description, A Vision of Ireland through Time.
URL: https://www.visionofireland.org/place/29995
Date accessed: 02nd October 2024
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