Rathlin Island’s Only Pub Seeks To Diversify Amid Changing Times

A planning application has been submitted by McCuaig’s Bar — Rathlin Island’s only public house — outlining plans to convert part of the premises into self-catering accommodation and introduce new outdoor facilities.

The proposal, lodged with Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council, seeks permission for a Change of Use from an existing restaurant to two self-catering units, alongside alterations to the building’s front and rear, including changing several windows to door openings.

Plans also include the provision of a covered seating area, new toilet facilities, and a designated space for a mobile catering unit within the bar’s existing car park.

In a statement accompanying the application, the owners said the move is designed to ensure the long-term sustainability of the island’s only pub, which has faced increasing operational and logistical challenges in recent years.

“Given the decline in social trends since the COVID-19 lockdowns and the added difficulties of operating on Rathlin Island, the current business model has to change to remain viable,” the statement reads.

McCuaig’s Bar, a fixture of island life for generations, has long served both locals and visitors to Northern Ireland’s only inhabited offshore island. However, changing visitor patterns, rising costs, and a reduced local population have all contributed to a need to rethink how the business operates.

If approved, the development would bring new visitor accommodation to Rathlin, potentially boosting tourism while maintaining a hospitality presence at the site.

The planning application includes a site location plan, block plan, and proposed elevations, which outline the scope of the intended alterations.

The proposal is currently under consideration by the local planning authority.