Experience the joy of science on Rathlin Island as part of the NI Science Festival, running from 13-23 February! Whether you’re a family looking for a day trip, a couple wanting a Valentine’s weekend away, or an adventurer wanting to dive into a world of culture and lore, Rathlin Island off the north coast has the perfect programme packed with 360° of science.
Just a short, fun ferry ride off the north Antrim coast lies an island full of lighthouses, bushcraft, photography workshops, arts and crafts, and marine activities for the whole family. There will be talks and walks from islanders and visiting scientists, along with plenty of kids’ events including arts and crafts, book readings and immersive AR experiences.
There are also packages on offer for those wanting to stay for the weekend at the Manor House, with a two-day photography workshop led by multi-award-winning photojournalist Cathal McNaughton, and a wine and cheese evening from cheeseologist and author, Patrick McGuigan.
This year the festival is co-organised by the Rathlin Development & Community Association, the LIFE Raft project which is working to save Rathlin’s wildlife from invasive non-native species, and the Future Island-Island project, an innovative collection of scientists and designers which is looking at how Rathlin can chart a course for sustainable islands.
Michael Cecil, Chair of the Rathlin Development Community Association, said: “Many of the events this year are being run by Rathlin residents, so this is a great chance to find out what makes the island so special from the people that live here. From tours of the historic East Lighthouse to talks on photographing the Rathlin Golden Hare, there’s a whole range of Rathlin to explore and discover.”
NI Science Festival Director, Sarah Jones, said: “As the NI Science Festival expands its reach across Northern Ireland, we are thrilled once again to have such an exciting programme of events on Rathlin Island this year. Rathlin is a place of breathtaking beauty, rich history, and vibrant community life, making it the perfect setting to celebrate the joy of science in an engaging, hands-on way. I encourage everyone to make the short journey and immerse themselves in all that Rathlin and the festival have to offer. It promises to be a memorable experience filled with discovery, creativity, and, above all, fun!”
Professor Justin Magee, Director of the Future Island-Island Green Transition Ecosystem project, said: “Building upon our initial engagements with Northern Ireland Science Festival in 2024 on Rathlin Island, we look forward to showcasing some of the Future Island-Island project developments one year on. This is an important event in our calendar, directly engaging with, and supporting the community of Rahlin, who have generously enabled this research. This inventive community are increasingly involved as co-designers, through Research Fellowships, members of working groups such as the wool hub, valued voices as critical friends and product testers alongside bringing new problems or ideas for design-led approaches towards a green transition”.
Rauri Morgan, Socioeconomic Development – LIFE Raft project, said: “Many people visit Rathlin for its seabirds in the spring and summer, but coming in February means you get to see a totally different side of the island. It’s peaceful and quiet with clear night skies, and we hope that through the NI Science Festival more people get to experience that.”
For a full listing of events, and information on how to book, please visit the NI Science Festival page on the Rathlin360 website!