Rathlin Island (Northern Ireland)

Rathlin Island (Reachlainn) is located off the coast of County Antrim and is Northern Ireland's northernmost point. The island covers area of 3390 acres (14 km2 / 5 ml2) and has population under 500. Rathlin is approx 25 km (16 ml) from Mull of Kintyre (mainland Scotland, Kintyre Peninsula's southwesternmost tip).

• Rathlin is Northern Ireland's only inhabited offshore island, and also the most northerly inhabited island off mainland Ireland. The L-shaped Rathlin Island has length 6 km (4 ml / east-west) and width 4 km (2,5 ml / north-south). Its highest elevation point (Slieveard) is 134 m (440 ft) above sea level.
• The island constitutes a Civil parish and is subdivided into 22 townlands.
• Tievebulliagh mountain close to Cushendall has a Neolithic stone axe factory - similar to the one found in Brockley (within Ballygill Middle), with the same porcellanite stone. An unexcavated Viking ship was found in a mound formation.
• Ferries (by Rathlin Island Ferry Ltd) link island's main port (Church Bay) and mainland Northern Ireland (Ballycastle, approx 10 km / 6 ml away). Two ferries operate the route - Rathlin Express (fast catamaran for foot-passenger-only) and MV Canna (Ro-Pax ferry owned by Scotland, for both foot passengers and vehicles).
• In 2008 Rathlin Island Ferry Ltd won a 6-year contract for the service providing it as subsidised "lifeline" service. 

Rathlin Island cruise terminal