Rathlin O'Birne explained
| Rathlin O'Birne |
| Map: | island of Ireland |
| Pushpin Label Position: | left |
| Native Name: | Irish: Reachlainn Uí Bhirn |
| Native Name Link: | Irish language |
| Location: | Atlantic Ocean |
| Coordinates: | 54.6636°N -57.951°W |
| Country: | Ireland |
| Country Admin Divisions Title: | Province |
| Country Admin Divisions: | Ulster |
| Country Admin Divisions Title 1: | County |
| Country Admin Divisions 1: | Donegal |
| Population As Of: | 1 |
Rathlin O'Birne ([1]) is an island located to the south west of the district of Glencolumbkille, County Donegal, Ireland, and 2 km west of Malin Beg.
Lighthouse
Rathlin O'Birne lighthouse went into operation on 14 April 1856. In 1974, a radioisotope thermoelectric generator was installed, making it home to Ireland's first nuclear powered lighthouse.[2] However, by 1987, the power output of the RTG had dwindled to an insufficient level and the lighthouse was converted to wind power, which was in use until 1991, at which point it was converted to solar power.[3]
A road, with a cut stone wall on both sides, runs from the beach to the lighthouse to protect the lighthouse keepers as they made their way across the island.
Accidents
- On 7 January 1975, the trawler Evelyn Marie sank on the west side ("the rock") of Rathlin O Birne with the loss of 6 crew.
- A year later, in November 1976, the trawler Carrig Una sank in the same spot with the loss of 5 crew.[4]
- In July 2017, two men died when their RIB ran out of fuel close to the shore of Rathlin O'Birne, after having been rescued from the same area four weeks prior.[5]
Notes and References
- Web site: Logainm Reachlainn Uí Bhirn . 19 April 2017 . 20 April 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170420045541/https://www.logainm.ie/ga/14967?s=Rathlin+O%27Birne+Island . live .
- Book: Walsh, David . 2014 . Oileáin . Pesda Press . 250 . 978-1-906095-37-6 .
- Web site: Irish Lights - Rathlin Obirne . 18 April 2017 . 24 February 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210224142650/https://www.irishlights.ie/tourism/our-lighthouses/rathlin-obirne.aspx . live .
- Web site: RTE Radio 1 Documentary - Searching for answers . 18 April 2017 . 18 April 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170418162109/http://www.rte.ie/radio1/doconone/2010/1229/646602-radio-documentary-carrig-una-evelyn-marie-searching-for-answers/ . live .
- News: Two fishermen drowned off Donegal coast 'had been rescued from same area before' . independent . en . 10 July 2017 . 10 July 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170710113745/http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/two-fishermen-drowned-off-donegal-coast-had-been-rescued-from-same-area-before-35912248.html . live .
