Notes on the Statistics and Natural History of the Island of Rathlin, off the North- 
ern Coast of Ireland. By James Drummonp Marsuatt, M.D., Secretary to the 
Natural History Society of Belfast, §c. 
Rathlin forms one of that vast multitude of islands which are every where scattered 
round the shores of Ireland. Upwards of six hundred of these have been enumerated, 
of which one hundred and forty are inhabited—the others, consisting chiefly of islets 
and holms, are tenanted only by cattle or birds. 
This island is situated off the northern coast of the county of Antrim, in north 
latitude 55°15. It isa part of the county, a rectory of the diocese of Connor, and 
a distinct parish, having been separated from that of Ballintoy in 1723. 
Doctor Hamilton justly observes, that “the name of this island has suffered so 
many variations in its orthography, as to render it now very difficult to determine what 
may be the most proper. It is called Ricnia, by Pliny; Ficina, by Ptolemy ; Riduna, 
by Antoninus ; Raclinda, by Buchanan, the Scotch historian, (who classes it among the 
Ebudz or Western Isles of Scotland); Raghlin, by Sir James Ware; Rathlin, by 
Sir William Petty, and most of the modern map-makers.”* Mr, J.O’Donovan, to whom 
the student of Irish antiquities is largely indebted, farther informs us, that “ it was called 
Reépayyo and Raclame by Tigernach ; Rachra, by John Lesley ; Rachrine, by John 
Fordun, in his Scoti-chronicon ; and Reacpamy, by Dudley M‘Firbis.”+ 
The nearest point of Rathlin lies about three miles from the promontory on the 
mainland, called Fairhead, but from Ballycastle it is nearly 55. The usual point of 
disembarkation in Rathlin, is Church bay, which lies at the distance of 7} miles from 
* In anote he subjoins, that “ Raghery, as pronounced in Ireland, corresponds with the spelling and sound 
of the name in use at this day. If one were inclined to speculate in the dangerous field of etymology, 
perhaps Ragh Erin, or the Fort of Erin, might appear to be somewhat in the midst of these various 
sounds; and the command of the Irish coast, which must have attended the possessors of this island in 
early ages, might make it not unaptly be styled the Fortress of Ireland.” 
+ Sce note to a translation “from the Autograph of the Four Irish Masters, in the Library of the Royal 
Irish Academy,” by J. O'D. in the Dublin Penny Journal, vol. I. p. 315. In the “ Ancient Topography 
of Ireland,” contained in the 11th Number of the Collectanea, (p. 411), it is stated, that “ all these words 
are derived from Fach, Ridh, Rudh, Riada, and Reuda, a tribe or habitation ; and ean or lean, water ; 
whence the habitation in the water—the present isle of Rathlin.”’ 
VOL. XVII. KK 
