Rathlin O'Birne Island is a tiny rocky island located in the North Atlantic Ocean a mile west of Malin Beg Head on the west coast of Ireland. It offers an anchorage north of the islands southeast corner with the opportunity of a dinghy landing at steps on the east side of the island, or on to a stoney beach in a sheltered bay in the northeast.

The shelter at the recommended anchorage is generally tolerable but is dependent on favourable weather and tidal conditions, whilst the daylight access requires attentive navigation taking care to avoid unchartered rocks and a rocky shoal.

Caution should be taken regarding unchartered rocks that exist along the coast off the mainland between White Strand Bay and Carrigan Head. In the Sound the tide runs north strongly for nine hours out of twelve.

Keyfacts for Rathlin O'Birne Island

Position and approaches

Haven position

54° 39.868' N, 008° 49.430' W

this is the position at the landing steps on the east side of the island.

What is the initial fix?

this is the position in the North Atlantic Ocean midway between Rathlin O'Birne Island and Malin More Head.

Not what you need?

To find locations with the specific attributes you need try:

How to get in?

The 'Erris Head to Malin Head' coastal description provides approach information to the suggested initial fix. Vessels approaching from the south should select the northeast bound sequenced description; vessels approaching from the north should select the southwest bound sequence; western approaches may use either description.

Why visit here?

Rathlin O’Birne is a small uninhabited low-lying grassy island with a lighthouse, indented all round with channels, and bisected by a sea arch in its northern part. It is also the westernmost point of County Donegal and should not be confused with the Rathlin Island off the coast of County Antrim.

It is not clear how the island came by its name, but it appears to have been associated with someone or some group (clan) named Birn, but there are no official records to confirm whether or not they were locals or came from elsewhere in Ireland. One historical fact is clear, that Saint Patrick's coppersmith and the first Bishop of Elfin, Saint Asicus, came to Rathlin O'Birne Island where he lived as a hermit for seven years until some monks came and rescued him.

Rathlin O'Birne Sound, the deep water passage on the east side of the island, has a navigable width of 0.5 mile between the mainland and the island and is the normal entrance from the north into Donegal Bay. In the Sound the tide runs north strongly for nine hours out of twelve and runs south weakly for the other three, but it is not strong. The bold promontory comprising Malin Beg and Malin More Heads, despite its position and exposure, is one of the less challenging of the western headlands.

What facilities are available?

There are no facilities at this location.

With thanks to:

inyourfootsteps.com site research. Photography with thanks to Carsten Clasohm, Tobias Senger and Ben Brooksbank