Rathlin O'Birne

Rathlin O'Birne
Native name: Reachlainn Uí Bhirn
Rathlin O'Birne
Geography
Location Atlantic Ocean
Coordinates 54°39.816′N 8°49.951′W / 54.663600°N 8.832517°W / 54.663600; -8.832517Coordinates: 54°39.816′N 8°49.951′W / 54.663600°N 8.832517°W / 54.663600; -8.832517
Administration
Province Ulster
County Donegal
Population (0)

Rathlin O'Birne (Gaeilge: Reachlainn Uí Bhirn[1]) is an island located to the south west of Glencolumbkille, County Donegal and 2km west of Malin Beg.

Lighthouse

Rathlin O'Birne lighthouse went into operation on 14 April 1856. In 1974 a Radioisotope thermoelectric generator was installed, making it home to Ireland's first nuclear powered lighthouse. [2] However in by 1987 the power output of the RTG had dwindled to an insufficient level and the lighthouse was converted to wind power, which was in use until 1991 at which point it was converted to solar power[3]

A road with a cut stone wall on both sides, runs from the beach to the lighthouse to protect the lighthouse keepers as they made their way across the island.[2]

Accidents

  • On 7 January 1975 the trawler Evelyn Marie sank in the Rathlin sound with the loss of 6 crew
  • A year later in November 1976 the trawler Carrig Una sank in the same spot with the loss of 5 crew[4]
  • In July 2017 two men died when their RIB ran out of fuel close to the shore of Rathlin O'Birne, after having been rescued from the same area four weeks prior [5]

References

  1. ↑ Logainm Reachlainn Uí Bhirn
  2. 1 2 Walsh, David (2014). Oileáin. Pesda Press. p. 250. ISBN 978-1-906095-37-6.
  3. ↑ Irish Lights - Rathlin Obirne
  4. ↑ RTE Radio 1 Documentary - Searching for answers
  5. ↑
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