North West Ireland Tourism
Visitor Guide to Mayo, Sligo, Donegal, Roscommon, Leitrim, Cavan & Monaghan
Visitor Guide to Mayo, Sligo, Donegal, Roscommon, Leitrim, Cavan & Monaghan
Rathlin O’Birne Island
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Rathlin O’Birne Island
Few people realize that the lighthouse on Rathlin O’Birne Island was the world’s first and most powerful nuclear-powered lighthouse. Ireland’s first (and only) step into the atomic era came about in 1964 when the UK Atomic Energy Research Establishment at Harwell, Buckinghamshire suggested the use of isotope powered thermo-electric generators for use in the marine lighting and navigational field. Extraordinarily the Irish Government succumbed to the request, and a pioneering isotope generator known as “RIPPLEX” (Radio Isotope Powered Prolonged Life Equipment Mark Ten) was transported by road to Holyhead from Harwell, lifted aboard “ILT Isolda”, cleared customs at Dun Laoghaire, and landed directly onto Rathlin O’Birne Island on 7 June 1974. The entire journey from Harwell to Rathlin O’Birne took four days in all. The lighthouse keepers were withdrawn from Rathlin O’Birne at the end of September 1974 and the RIPPLEX nuclear lamp entered service. A radio link to the mainland adjacent monitored the equipment and, when the attendant pressed a button, RIPPLEX transmitted a signal containing information on seven basic parameters on the miniature nuclear powerplant. It all seems very ill-advised by today’s standards, and RIPPLEX was removed from service in May of 1987, so ending Ireland’s brief flirtation with nuclear power.
There are 24 main species of whale and dolphin in the waters off Ireland’s West Coast, and many of them can be seen at various times of the year off Rathlin O’Birne Island. Local Whale and Dolphin Charters Boats have been keeping company with them for many years. They encounter Minke Whale, Bottlenose Dolphin, Common Dolphin, Porpoise, Basking Shark, and Sunfish on a regular basis. Dolphins love to play with the charter boats, and love even more to follow sailboats. Common Dolphin and Bottlenose Dolphins are often found in large, socially active groups and are often seen, bow-riding, surfing, lob tailing and breaching. They can leap several metres out of the water. Bottlenose, like many other whales and dolphins, are social animals. They tend to live in family groups called ‘schools’. these schools can contain anything from just two or three dolphins to over fifty dolphin.
Book Rathlin O’Birne Accommodation
There are 24 main species of whale and dolphin in the waters off Ireland’s West Coast, and many of them can be seen at various times of the year off Rathlin O’Birne Island. Local Whale and Dolphin Charters Boats have been keeping company with them for many years. They encounter Minke Whale, Bottlenose Dolphin, Common Dolphin, Porpoise, Basking Shark, and Sunfish on a regular basis. Dolphins love to play with the charter boats, and love even more to follow sailboats. Common Dolphin and Bottlenose Dolphins are often found in large, socially active groups and are often seen, bow-riding, surfing, lob tailing and breaching. They can leap several metres out of the water. Bottlenose, like many other whales and dolphins, are social animals. They tend to live in family groups called ‘schools’. these schools can contain anything from just two or three dolphins to over fifty dolphin.
How to get to Rathlin O’Birne
Excursions to Rathlin O’Birne Island can be arranged from Glencolumbcille. Scuba-diving groups frequent the island most regularly. Moderate weather only.Where to stay near Rathlin O’Birne
Rathlin O’Birne has lots of great accommodation options nearby including hotels, self-catering holiday homes, guesthouses and B&B's.Book Rathlin O’Birne Accommodation
