Some good news!
The West Light Seabird Centre on Rathlin Island, home to Northern Ireland’s largest seabird colony, is reopening this coming bank holiday weekend (Saturday 23 May)!
This little guy is very excited
The bad news...
Construction has been delayed, so we are unable to allow visitors access to the lighthouse itself just yet, but you can still access the viewing platform in order to enjoy the sight, sound and smell of the thousands of seabirds that are starting to gather on the cliffs, beginning a busy season of breeding. There is a new team at Rathlin, who will on hand to give a warm welcome and whatever help you might need!
The West Light Seabird Centre is undergoing major refurbishments as part of the Commissioners of Irish Lights’ “Great Lighthouses of Ireland” project, which will allow visitors to explore the lighthouse, learning about the history of the building, as well as enjoying the wildlife that makes its home nearby. The works are at their final stages, but unfortunately it’s not possible to open the lighthouse itself until later in June. However, together with CIL, we wanted to grant visitors access to the site as early as we could.
When the lighthouse opens in June, we will be charging a small entry fee (although RSPB members will not be charged), but until then, admission remains free.
The Seabird Centre will be open from 10am each day until 5pm. The West Light can be reached by a private bus from the harbour on Rathlin Island. For information on how to get to Rathlin Island, visit rathlincommunity.org/travel.
We're very grateful for your patience and understanding while these refurbishment works have been ongoing.