Rathlin Island has officially launched its summer 2026 ferry timetable, which will run from April 3 to September 30. This announcement comes alongside the introduction of an additional return crossing every Saturday and Sunday morning, aimed at enhancing accessibility for both residents and visitors.
The ferry service update is particularly significant as it coincides with the successful eradication of invasive ferrets from the island, a project that has been in the works for five years and cost £4.5 million. The ferrets, believed to have been introduced in the 1980s, had grown to a population of over 100, posing a severe threat to the island’s wildlife.
Prior to the eradication, these ferrets were known to prey on seabirds and chickens, with one ferret reportedly killing 26 puffins in a single year. The LIFE Raft project, initiated in 2021, aimed to remove these invasive species, marking a world-first for inhabited islands.
Erin McKeown, a representative from the Rathlin Development Community Association, expressed her relief, stating, “It’s brilliant to be ferret-free.” The project received support from various organizations, including RSPB NI, the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA), and the Garfield Weston Foundation.
Rathlin Island is now home to over 250,000 seabirds, including puffins, razorbills, guillemots, and Manx shearwaters. The successful removal of ferrets has already shown positive results, with six calling male corncrakes recorded after their removal, and the first breeding of Manx shearwaters confirmed in 2025 after a 40-year absence.
Joanne Sherwood, from RSPB NI, hailed the eradication as “an extraordinary moment for Rathlin, for Northern Ireland, and for conservation globally.” Meanwhile, Michael Rafferty from Dunaverty Ltd described the day as a “brilliant red letter day for Rathlin Island, and for the community who have been amazing to work with on the eradication programme.”
As the summer ferry timetable is set to begin, the community is optimistic about the future of Rathlin Island’s wildlife and tourism. Observers expect that this new schedule will not only cater to the needs of the local community but also attract more visitors to the island’s natural beauty and wildlife.