Monday 7 September 2015

Through My Lens -Rahtlin Island - (Part 1 ) Upside Down West Lighthouse

OK now we are heading to another island, yes in another boat, off Ballycastle in Country Antrim.  I have shown you photographs from Rathlin Island before so I hope you will not get bored with these upcoming posts.  I have a VIDEO of part of the ferry journey as it comes into harbour. The first 2 images are taken while I was driving up the coast road and you can see Rathlin Island in the distance. 


Rathlin Island is the only inhabited offshore island in Northern Ireland. Most people will travel to Rathlin via the ferry service operating from Ballycastle, County Antrim, just six miles from the harbour on the island.  




There are 2 ferries.The one I am on is the fast ferry and only takes about 20 minutes but the black ferry you see here, takes about 45 minutes.





­Looking back you see part of the County Antrim coastline.



We are in sight of Rathlin to the left of this shot and below is part of the coastline of the island



On the crossing over, I saw Gannets and Gulls, 
and most of the Auks flying around.


When I land I go straight to the waiting bus which takes you up and down dale to “The Stacks".  This is where the seabirds are all nesting and you will see that on the future posts this week.


So the next photographs are all taken from the moving bus as we leave the harbour.  It is a steep climb for the bus and fortunately it goes quite slow.  So enjoy the views and the last shot today is when we reach The Stacks at the West Lighthouse. 






I know, right now, you cannot see the birds on these rocks to the left of The Stacks, but believe me there are thousands of Common Guillemots on top of the flat part and many gulls on the rest of it.  


Looking to the right we see even more cliffs at The Stacks which has thousands of breeding birds on them. You will some of them tomorrow but now we are going to make our way down this very steep cliff to the viewing place and this upside down West Lighthouse.  


There are good steps but hold on tight to this handrail and take in the views as you walk down slowly.


West Lighthouse

This upside-down light was a major feat of engineering when it was built, between 1912 and 1917. The top of Kebble Point was too high for the light to be effective, so it had to be placed some way down the cliff. The works needed a cable tramway and a pier, as well as the road across Kebble. The work cost £400,000 in 1912, equivalent to an amazing £17million today. 


I took this image off the web so that you could see what the lighthouse looks like from below and also to see the information centre on top of the cliff where the bus leaves you and how high it is from the lighthouse.

CLICK HERE if the video does not appear below.  



I hope you enjoyed this post today.  Tomorrow you will see the birds closer, both on stllls and video, so see you then.

I am linking this post with THROUGH MY LENS.

Many thanks for visiting and also to all thoe who leave comments.

34 comments:

  1. Pick the weather and it is an incredibly beautiful place.

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    1. HI Adrian Yes you re right there. I do not believe there is anywhere better than Ireland when we see the sun. very hard to beat the scenery and people's friendliness. Thanks for visit and comment.

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  2. What an amazing place.
    And an amazing engineering feat too.
    Thank you.

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    1. HI Sue Yess it is quite a unique lighthouse. thanks for your visit and comment today.

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  3. You have a beautiful coastline. I wonder what life must be like living on a small island like that. I imagine it is very noisy with all those gulls screeching. Fabulous shots Margaret.

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    1. Hi The birds certainnly are noisy at The Stacks however this is 4 miles frm anyones home so no problem there and also all the birds leave the island by the end of august / beginning of September. They only come there to breed. Thanks for you visit and comment.

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  4. Hello Margaret, what a beautiful coastline. I love the sea stacks covered with birds and the lighthouse, awesome scenes. Great photos and video! Have a happy new week ahead!

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    1. HI EIleen Glad you enjoyed seeing the coastline. You will enjoy the birds tomorrow and on your Saturday meme. Thank you for visit and comment.

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  5. Glad you enjoyed more sunshine for your trip to Ratlin. I've never crossed but it does look like a wonderful place to visit.

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    1. HI Christine You should go next year. It is a lovely day trip although I prefer to stay over night but wa not able to do that this year. Thanks for your comment and visit.

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  6. A lovely nature walk for the beginning of the week. Thanks so much for linking in with Through My Lens.

    Mersad
    Mersad Donko Photography

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  7. The scenery along your coastline is just beautiful! Such a beautiful post! Have a wonderful week!

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  8. Ireland is such a magical place. I love it. So happy you are sharing your photos with all of us.

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  9. Greetings from Dubai!! Great post! Will be back soon! Have a great week ahead and will be back soon.

    Shantana

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  10. You go to wonderful places Margaret. Thank you for taking us along.

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  11. Wow. If you walk down to the lighthouse that means you must walk back up? Looks like quite a difference in elevation. Can't wait for the next installment.

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  12. HI Marcia you re correct, it i quite a climb back up to the top again but your can stop often adn admir the view and take your time over it. Thanks for comment and I think you will enjoy seeing the birds es[ecially the videos.

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  13. looks like quite the adventure. i LOVE lighthouses, this is different/special but not too easy to reach. the image of it, from a distance, is really beautiful!!!! i didn't see the birds on top that rock!!!!

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  14. It looks like another fabulous island Margaret. I never realised how many smaller islands there are.

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  15. Such a beautiful island! I really enjoyed the views both your stills and the video. Love the upside down lighthouse...how ingenious! The stacks are lovely.

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  16. I learn something new every time I visit you ... What a beautiful journey! Even before you see any birds! Amazing place. How many people live on this little piece of Paradise?

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    1. Hi Sallie. Glad you like the island so far. There are about 125 people living on the island.

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  17. Thanks for the trip, Margaret. The lighthouse is certainly unusual!

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  18. Margaret, I want to go there - right now. There's nothing quite like a boat trip out to an island. It's the smells of the sea, the anticipation as the island draws nearer. And then when you arrive there's the discovery of seeing new things and feeling part of that island, if only for a short time.

    Thank you for that lovely journey.

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  19. Wonderful tour! Beautiful scenery and lovely video!

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  20. Hello Dear Margaret
    Beautiful pictures and great relationship.
    I regret that I can not see this place.
    The cliffs are beautiful.


    Greetings from Poland.

    Lucia

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  21. Oh Margaret, I've had such a busy day today and your pictures were just what I needed! Lovely sky, lovely sea, lovely land. Thanks for the sharing them x

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  22. Another place for the bucket list!

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  23. If I had a "bucket list" this would be near the top of it. Thank you for sharing such beauty, Margaret!

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  24. It's a very beautiful place. The cliff formations are amazing.

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