Essential Rathlin: The Small Island with a Big Story

(2 reviews)

Rathlin Island audio tour: Essential Rathlin: The Small Island with a Big Story

This is a 2mi walking tour

It takes an average of 60 mins to complete.

Rathlin Island

The United Kingdom

$5.99

Access all 23 locations offline with the VoiceMap app

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About the Tour

Most visitors are bowled over by Rathlin’s stunning natural beauty, but they often leave without hearing about the island’s rich and dramatic history. On this walking tour, I’ll show you how past events created an island and a people with unique character that you can’t help but be enraptured by.

I’m Geraldine, otherwise known as 'yellowferret', and I’m proud to guide you on this tour. Along the way, I’ll share stories about some of Rathlin’s fascinating places, whetting your appetite for further island explorations.

This walk takes us on a circular stroll around the harbour ’townlands’ where the bustle of Church Bay soon melts into idyllic coast and country pathways. You’ll learn about monks and massacres, fishermen and fairies, vikings and viscounts, as well as pirates and puffins, all while taking in modern island life.

Join me on this hour-long walk and by the end, you too shall experience that ‘Rathlin feeling’, when you shift into a lower gear and your spirit exhales.

Tour Producer

Geraldine Anslow

1 tour

Hello!

I am 'yellowferret', a writer, astrologer and tour guide lucky enough to live on beautiful Rathlin Island.

I travelled the world and followed many different career paths, but always knew I would return to my roots and soul home one day. It is my joy to share the beauty and fascination of the island with new visitors. A trip to Rathlin is healing and inspirational. I’ll be honoured to introduce you to Magical Rathlin Island and help you make the most of your time with us.

Love and light

Geraldine/ 'yellowferret'
www.yellowferret.com

Preview Location

Location 1

St Thomas Church

Welcome to Rathlin Island! Today we will take a walk around the harbour ‘townlands’. This tour is an introduction to the rich and dramatic history of Rathlin Island.

My name is Geraldine aka ‘yellowferret’. I fell in love with Rathlin as a child, coming here on a small ope... Welcome to Rathlin Island! Today we will take a walk around the harbour ‘townlands’. This tour is an introduction to the rich and dramatic history of Rathlin Island.

My name is Geraldine aka ‘yellowferret’. I fell in love with Rathlin as a child, coming here on a small open boat with my Mother. Many years later, I was able to come and live here with my family. I hope to share its magic with you, so you will come to love Rathlin too.

We'll start here at St Thomas’s, a pretty church belonging to the Church of Ireland and situated on the harbour. It was completed in 1822 and it shows fine craftsmanship with the small black stones in the mortar demonstrating a lovely, subtle decorative detail. It’s worth taking a peek inside to see the memorials of the Gage family - the long-time owners and landlords of the island; also the striking 17th century ‘Martin Memorial’ to a past clergyman with its skull and crossbones ‘memento mori’ and Latin inscription.

All islanders are buried in the church's graveyard, regardless of their religious denomination. This is unusual in Northern Ireland and reflects a community that always ‘pulled together'. Rathlin was relatively untouched by the 30 years of sectarian ‘Troubles’ and the island was a blessed retreat for many during those dark times.

There has been a church on this site at least from the 6th century. The original was a simple wattle structure built by the small community of monks who settled here, who had a monastery nearby. These early Christians were an able and tough breed of monk known to have taken arms against Viking invaders on at least three occasions.

The stream to the left of the chapel is one of Rathlin’s well-known fairy places. Some people like to make wishes here, perhaps standing on the bridge below the waterfall, if you are in good standing with the ‘good folk’, you never know! We'll end our walk coming down the 'brae' beside the stream if you need time to consider your fairy wishes.

Let's get going. With your back to the church and facing the sea, turn left and walk towards the Manor House.

Please take care in the busy harbour area. The roads are narrow and people may be rushing for sailings, so be alert.

If it is low water and not too crowded the beach below the road and beside the larger vehicle ferry is a favoured haul out for seals. Island residents like to call this the 'Costa del Seal'. Be sure to stay on the road. The seals are protected by law and cannot be approached or disturbed by shouting or noises.

The attractive shop to your left is the Breakwater Studio. This is the home and workplace of island artist Yvonne Braithwaite. Here you can see her work celebrating the beauty of Rathlin Island, as well as a tasteful selection of gifts inspired by island life. Call in, you are assured of a warm welcome.

While you walk, let me briefly explain how VoiceMap works.

It uses your location to play audio automatically, at the right time and place. This means that you can put your phone away now. Don't worry if I'm silent at times, when I'm not giving directions or telling stories. There's a map on your screen if you ever feel lost, and if you do get way off track without noticing, VoiceMap will let you know. Read More

View locations and route

How VoiceMap Works

Focus on your surroundings, not the screen

The VoiceMap app uses GPS to play audio automatically, at the right time and place, so you can focus on your surroundings, not the screen.

Follow a route with turn-by-turn-directions

VoiceMap tours follow a route from a fixed starting point. That lets us give turn-by-turn directions and use context to tell a better story.

Resume playback to go at your own pace

If you'd like to stop for a drink or go into a museum, end your tour then use the Resume feature to pick up exactly where you left off.

Listen as many times as you like

You can listen to your tours as often as you like using both the VoiceMap app and website.

Take virtual tours anywhere, like a podcast

Select Virtual mode in the VoiceMap app to listen to tours like a podcast - at home or in transit.

Buy for less on voicemap.me and sync

Once you've purchased a tour, it's added to your VoiceMap library. To access it in the app, just sign in using the same account.

Do tours without paying for data

Tours work offline, so you don't have to pay roaming fees. Just download them over WiFi before you get started.

Major Landmarks

The Manor House
St Thomas' Church
Mc Cuaig's Bar
The Station
The Kelp House
The Mill
The Forge
The Glebe House
The Rocket House
The School
The Big Garden
Immaculate Conception Chapel
The Fairy Bridge

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Getting There

Route Overview

VoiceMap tours follow a route from a set starting point. It’s how we give turn-by-turn directions and tell a story greater than the sum of its parts.

Start location
3 Churchquarter, Rathlin Island, Ballycastle BT54 6RT, UK
Total distance

3km
Final location
8-2 Ballynagard Cottages, Rathlin Island, Ballycastle BT54 6SB, UK
Distance back to start location

66.33m

Directions to Starting Point

The tour begins at St. Thomas' Church, right at the harbour, beside Pier 2- the berth of the 'Spirit of Rathlin' large vehicle ferry.

Show Directions

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Tips

Places to stop along the way

It is highly recommended to visit the Boathouse Museum which has artifacts related to our tour and more besides. The Breakwater Studio and Island Treasures are great for retail therapy. Island eateries include a cafe, the pub, the Manor House (subject to seasonal opening variations and of course 2020-2021 style restricted service, hopefully not for too long). 'The Hungry Seal' is a wildly popular and highly-rated 'take away' faciliity. The Rathlin Co-Op Shop is the spot for essential supplies and island specialities.
And, of course, make time to stop in McCuaig's Bar and enjoy the warmth of Rathlin hospitality and make some new friends.

Best time of day

It's a daytime tour. Most people like to visit in the Spring, Summer and early Autumn, but check the forecast, it's much more enjoyable on a clement day!

Precautions

Be prepared for the good old Irish weather- layers, waterproofs and stout waterproof footwear suitable for rough road walking. There are some fairly manageable hills involved, also little shelter outside the harbour area, Check the forecast and bring water, woolies or suncream as appropriate. Book your ferry passage as far ahead as possible, Rathlin is very popular!
Bad weather can result in cancelled sailings, especially in the winter; if uncertain, email the Rathlin Island Ferry Company for advice.
Most people wish they had planned to stay over here- if that's possible for you, check out our B and Bs, Guest House and Hostels (see Rathlin Community and Development Association website for details). yellowferret especially recommends 'Druim Apartments' hosted by her firends Stewart and Una.

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“This app has become my go-to app for audio tours. I pretty much use it for every trip and it works wonderfully. I highly recommend VoiceMap for travelers to truly experience cities.”

App Store Review

“Great app. walk around at your own pace, stop where you want, move on or speed up when you want. Read the script before you go or during the commentary, speed it up or replay it. Repeat the tour whenever you like.”

Google Play Store

Questions and Reviews

5 / 5

2 Ratings

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Essential Rathlin: The Small Island with a Big Story

About the Tour

Tour Producer

Geraldine Anslow

Preview Location

Location 1

St Thomas Church

How VoiceMap Works

Major Landmarks

The Manor House

St Thomas' Church

Mc Cuaig's Bar

The Station

The Kelp House

The Mill

The Forge

The Glebe House

The Rocket House

The School

The Big Garden

Immaculate Conception Chapel

The Fairy Bridge