The Rathlin West light is an Irish lighthouse on the island of Rathlin in County Antrim, Northern Ireland. One of a kind, it is often referred to by locals as the only lighthouse built “upside down”! Its light is positioned at the bottom of the lighthouse, not at the top!
The Rathlin West light is not really designed for those allergic to solitude! It must be said that this lighthouse is quite remote, built right into the rock! The latter was built between 1912 and 1917: a special platform, with an inclined rail track, was installed to facilitate construction!
The lighthouse was commissioned in 1919. However, it was not automated until 1983, when the lighthouse keepers were asked to leave. Today, the Rathlin West light is still in operation, and is one of the lighthouses essential to the safety of ships sailing in nearby waters!
If you’re a wildlife lover, this is the site of the UK’s largest seabird colony (over 250,000 birds counted each year!). Countless guillemots, penguins, gulls, fulmars and shearwaters come to breed on the lighthouse heights! It’s a true refuge, where you can listen to the many bird calls circling around the Rathlin West light!
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