Aspects of the Marine Otherworld of Rathlin Island

Abstract

This article examines maritime stories and folklore collected in Rathlin Island. Located between Ireland’s north coast and southwestern Scotland, Rathlin has long connected the two countries while also developing its own distinctive culture. Just as its Irish Gaelic dialect shares a range of linguistic isoglosses with Scottish Gaelic, Rathlin’s heritage includes many maritime customs, stories and beliefs also found in Scotland. Seals, mermaids, sea monsters, supernatural boats, shipwrecks, fishing taboos, enchanted islands and other phenomena associated with the island’s marine otherworld have been central to Rathlin’s culture and its stories.