The number of people living on Rathlin Island is growing steadily and the population has doubled in the last ten years.
Located six miles off the north Antrim coast, Rathlin is connected to the mainland by a ferry service which is the island's biggest employer. While many islands around Ireland are experiencing depopulation, the number of people living on Rathlin has doubled in 10 years and now stands at 130.
A policy adopted at Stormont in 2008 means all government departments now have input into Rathlin Island. Michael Cecil of the Rathlin Development and Community Association says this has brought an improvement to the harbour, services and housing on the island.
Community life also plays a central part in enticing people to live here.
This year, five babies were born or are due to be born on Raithlin. This is the highest birth rate on the island in 40 years. One of the new mothers, Aoife Molloy, was pleased that her newborn baby would have some classmates of the same age when they started school.
The main industry on the island is tourism. Patsy Harbinson, Rathlin Island Hostel, says that many people of her generation have returned to the island after university to set up a business. In addition, over the past few years, many people with no connection to the island have made Rathlin their home. Artist Yvonne Braithwaite first visited Rathlin about a year ago, found a home and studio and has not left since.
An RTÉ News report broadcast on 25 July 2014. The reporter is Áine Ní Ghallchóir.
