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The Rathlin Island Massacre

Rathlin Island, County Antrim

Francis Drake's ships helped trap and slaughter an island's people.

In July 1575 an English force under John Norreys, with ships commanded by Francis Drake, attacked Rathlin Island, where the MacDonnell clan had sent their families for safety. The garrison surrendered, but hundreds of men, women and children were killed.

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When
July 1575
Where
55.2900, -6.2000
Group
Pirates

Visiting

Ferries run from Ballycastle. Rathlin has a large seabird colony.

Cover of Blood and Gold by Cale Mills
Read the full story in the book

Blood and Gold

Sixteen true stories of mutiny, mercy, treasure and the gallows from the Golden Age of Piracy: Henry Every, Bartholomew “Black Bart” Roberts, Edward England, Howell Davis, Christopher Moody, Anne Bonny, Mary Read, Charles Vane, Benjamin Hornigold, Blackbeard, Stede Bonnet, Israel Hands, Calico Jack, Edward Low, Captain William Kidd and Samuel “Black Sam” Bellamy. Where the record is uncertain, the book says so.

Buy on AmazonAll books by Cale Mills

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