Wednesday 9 September 2015

Rahtlin Island (Part 3 ) - East Lighthouse Walk

On Monday and Tuesday of this week we featured the West Lighthouse, today we are walking to the East Lighthouse and I am showing you all I found on the way there and back.  It is quite a steep climb up from the harbour but worth looking back at the view below.



I think this is a Common Blue. 

I am sure Roy can tell me please.


The wild flower meadows along the way were wonderful 
although wide angle shots of them does not do them justice.


Meadow Brown Butterfly


There were quite a number of Orchids.


I passed several small ponds although today there was nothing on them.


Oh look, I can just see the East Lighthouse ahead 
although we still have quite a way to walk still.


















You cannot get into the lighthouse grounds so I went to the headland opposite it and was able to watch all the Gannets and Auks as they flew past.


These are zoomed and cropped images of Gannets.



This rib belonged to a B & B owner and he takes people round the island 
so next year I would like to do that. 

It would be different to see the island from the sea.


This is  part of the lighthouse complex and now we are going to make out way back as we have to catch the ferry to Ballycastle.


If you saw the video on Monday, you will have heard me say there are 2 churches.  This is the Roman Catholic one.  The bus driver was telling us that all the R.C people born here are all buried in the Protestant Church graveyard.


There is a primary school on the island with about 7 children attending it 
and this is their playground.


This is St Mary's Primary School.


As we walk down the steep hill towards the sea,
there are lovely wild Roses everywhere.


This is the Protestant Church overlooking the Bay 
where there were Eider ducks with their ducklings.



These Eider were in the Harbour and here is a Seal to say ’Hello’ to us. 



I didn’t have time to go round to Church Bay this time to see the other Seals.
  I think last year I counted 36 of them.

I hope you enjoyed coming to the East Lighhouse with me.

Many thanks for all who leave comments on this post.

28 comments:

  1. I did enjoy this walk. Thank you.
    Do you know why the RC were buried in the Protestant grave yard?

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    1. They are all buried in the Protestant graveyard because it is the only one on the island. Glad you enjoyed the walk and thanks for comment.

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  2. I have passed this place numerous times and wish I could have stopped.

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  3. This is such a beautiful area, Margaret. and such a lovely walk. Some of the tall grasses and wildflowers reminded me of where I live, but sadly there is no ocean in my land locked mountain state. The lighthouse is very picturesque, and the Marconi story was very interesting to read. The birds and seal looked quite happy to be in the water!

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  4. Fantastic pictures, Margaret !
    Always nice to watch the beautiful views !!
    Have a nice day !

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  5. You had me right away with these gorgeous lighthouse shots. I'm a sucker for them. There is no bad lighthouse photo in my opinion. Thanks for these.

    Mersad
    Mersad Donko Photography

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  6. Loved all those photos Margaret. Thank you!

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  7. Wow....being in operation since 1856....I LOVE this kinda history. And all your beautiful photos. The scene from the cliffs to the sea...that is awesome.

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  8. Wonderful images, covering a whole raft of subjects, Margaret, and some interesting history too!

    A great post!

    Best wishes - - - Richard

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  9. Hello Margaret, I love the lighthouse, flowers and the pretty butterfly. Cool sightings of the Gannets and Eider. Looks like an awesome place to visit. Great post, thanks for sharing. Have a happy day!

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  10. A really interesting post with some great photos Margaret - particularly loved the Gannets and Orchid. It looks a wonderful walk with so much to see :)

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  11. I really enjoyed this walk around Rathlin and the weather doesn't get much better as you could see for miles all around and it made photographing everything so clear. The lighthouse is a fine one and so nicely painted.

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  12. What a great day of sunshine, lighthouses and handsome scenery!

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  13. I love all the wildflowers and what a cute lighthouse!

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  14. Oh, this is my favorite side of the island! Love the fields of wildflowers, and that awesome lighthouse! But the little village is so wonderful as well! And of course the birds. Loved too hearing about Marconi's wireless set-up. Really amazing place!

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  15. Thanks for the walk through here. The wildflower shot is my favorite.

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  16. Another nice tour, Margaret. I especially enjoyed the wildflowers.

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  17. Excellent little walk about, Margaret!

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  18. I think the rib might possibly be the best way to see some of the seabirds on the island, I hope you do it next year as it'll make for fascinating reading. I love the baby Eiders

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  19. The views here are stunning. I love lighthouses and this one is very pretty. I also enjoyed the lovely wild flowers and the beautiful church.

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  20. What an incredible post! Oh my goodness, each photograph a feast to my eyes! I'd love to walk that exact way! Thank you for sharing your wonderful post~
    Nancy

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  21. Looks like a wonderful idyllic place Margaret...............

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  22. Beautiful views, fresh green grass growing all over, love the flowers, the birds and that awesome lighthouse!

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  23. lot's of pretty fences, keeping people protected and safe. i have a soft spot for butterflies and lighthouse, 2 of my very favorite things to photograph!!!!!

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  24. That was a refreshing trip around the East Lighthouse. I'm afraid I would have to linger for a few days at that lookout spot watching Auks and Gannets!

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  25. Wow, amazing views! It's really worth the steep climb. I like that lighthouse and its location. Actually, any lighthouse is fascinating to me.
    By the way, thanks for visiting my blog and for the heartwarming comment.

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  26. Looks like you had a great walk. It's so beautiful there. I love the wild orchids.

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