The Antrim coast is known for its unique and rugged beauty, but the most impressive stop of all is surely the Giant’s Causeway. Comprised of 40,000 black basalt stone columns placed at the water’s edge, the Giant’s Causeway is an important geological formation and a World Heritage site. The stone pillars that rise from the sea attract nearly a million visitors each year who marvel at the incredible natural wonder.
Know when to visit and find out how exactly the columns were created – here’s the complete guide to the Giant’s Causeway in Northern Ireland.
Story
News of the Giant’s Causeway generated great interest when the existence of thousands of stone columns along the northern coast of Ireland was announced in London in 1693. The bishop of Derry discovered the natural rock formation in 1692, But the information about the The Magnificent Place only caused a stir when it was reported in an article published by Sir Richard Bulkeley of Trinity College a year later.
While written reports about the natural attraction have only existed for a few hundred years, the Giant’s Causeway is much older than that. The causeway was formed just under 60 million years ago when the land masses of Europe and North America were still linked together. As the European land mass began to recede, huge cracks were created in the earth’s surface. Molten lava was able to climb through these holes. Finally, the rivers formed as things cooled off and changed the new landscape even more.
It was during a second period of volcanic activity that the basalt rock columns that make up the Giant’s Causeway were formed. This time, when molten lava reached the surface, it encountered a harsh landscape covered in dirt. The specific conditions that existed at this exact location 60 million years ago were so unique that the Giant’s Causeway is the only rock formation of its kind in the entire world.
In fact, when he was “discovered” in the 17th century, scholars might disagree if only basalt columns were natural or if they had been carved by man. The shape and number of the rock formations have been inspiring and imaginative artists ever since and have even resulted in a much-loved local legend about the site’s history.
The legend of the giant’s causeway
There is really no doubt that the Giant’s Causeway was created by volcanic activity, but the formation takes its name from a popular local legend that claims it was built by an Irish giant named Fionn mac Cumhaill, better known as Finn McCool.
Finn McCool wasn’t actually that big when it came to giants, and he was only 52 feet 6 inches tall, but that didn’t stop him from fighting a much larger Scottish giant named Benandonner.
Finn and Benandonner spent their days yelling at each other across the Sea of Moyle until they finally agreed to come together to test their strength and decide once and for all who was the most powerful giant. Finn even offered to build the road, a causeway, across the Irish Sea to make the reunion possible.
Finn went to work and built a road to the Scottish island of Staffa, which his giant rival called home. However, the work of building the road was so exhausting that Finn had to lie down and sleep.
The next morning, Finn’s wife awoke to the deafening sound of heavy footsteps: it was the Scottish giant crossing the road for the long-awaited reunion. Her husband was still asleep and realized that he would be no match for the much larger Benandonner. Thinking quickly, he tossed a nightgown over Finn’s sleeping form and covered his face with a hat.
When the Scottish giant arrived demanding to fight Finn, Finn’s wife whispered, “Shut up! You will wake up the baby!
Benandonner took one look at the “baby” and turned and ran down the driveway. If this is Finn’s baby, he thought, Finn himself must be really huge!
The scared Scottish giant destroyed the path on his way out, making sure Finn could never follow him home. This ruined road is what we now know as the Giant’s Causeway.
What to see and do
The Giant’s Causeway is a natural attraction, which means that it is completely outside.
When visiting the beautiful outdoor area, the obligatory stop is the Gran Calzada. This is the largest of the three rocky outcrops and the best place to see the hexagonal basalt columns that the causeway is famous for.
There are several rides that will lure visitors past some of the more well-known formations and sights, such as the harp, the chimneys, and the camel, which served as Finn McCool’s horse according to legend and can be seen by its humps. found at the bottom of the cliffs
You’ll find beautiful views of the Giant’s Causeway at Port Noffer, a picturesque bay that wraps around rock formations. Here you will find a path to the water where a particular rock attracts a lot of attention. Shaped like a gigantic shoe, this stone is known as the Giant’s Boot and supposedly belonged to Finn McCool.
Another photo-worthy stop is at the Throne of Wishes, where the rocks have formed a natural throne fit for a king. Find your seat (now very worn) and take a photo.
The unique rock formations of the Giant’s Causeway have also created a unique habitat for seabirds, plants, and insects. Be on the lookout for incredible biodiversity as you follow the paths along the rocks.
Finally, there is a charming, award-winning visitor center designed by Heneghan Peng, which opened in 2012. The unique architecture is designed to resemble the natural black stone columns that make up the Giant’s Causeway. Inside are interactive exhibits on the site’s geology and history, audio guides (which can be taken out for a walk), and a cozy café with free Wi-Fi.
Place and how to visit
The Giant’s Causeway is part of the larger Causeway Coast that skirts the Atlantic Ocean for 33 miles in County Antrim, Northern Ireland.
The easiest way to get to the Giant’s Causeway is by car, and there is parking on site. The visitor center and rock access can be found on the B147 Causeway Road, about two miles from the village of Bushmills. From April to October, there is also a free shuttle service from the village to the center, and visitors receive a green discount if they arrive this way.
Several buses also stop at Giant’s Causeway, including the Ulsterbus 172 service and the open-top Causeway Coast Service 177.
The most unique way to get there is by train using the Giant’s Causeway and the Bushmills Railway Company. The small railroad is now used as a tourist attraction, but was first built in the 1880s. It reopened for service in 2002 and now runs between the town of Bushmills and the Causeway Hotel, with daily departures in July and August. and a weekend-only schedule for September and October.
The best time to visit the Giant’s Causeway is between April and October, when the weather is relatively mild. The outdoor site is open every day from sunrise to sunset, which means more hours in summer when there is more natural light. Please note that trails may not be accessible in adverse weather conditions due to the risk of landslides.
accommodation
The most iconic place to stay near the Giant’s Causeway is the classic Causeway Hotel. The three-star hotel was recently remodeled and has maintained its traditional charm while adding modern touches. Best of all, the property is a five-minute walk from the visitor center.
There are also numerous B & Bs in Bushmills Village that are close to the site, but offer a city setting, which is lacking at the standalone Causeway Hotel.
What else to do nearby
The natural wonder is located just outside the town of Bushmills, which is famous for its whiskey. Plan a visit to the Old Bushmills Distillery to learn more about how the drink is made and then (of course) try a few samples.
The Dunseverick Castle Ruins are less than five miles from the main outcrops of the Giant’s Causeway and are part of the coastal cliff walk throughout the area. It dates back to at least the 5th century, which is when Saint Patrick is said to have visited it.
In about 20 minutes by car, you will find Dunluce Castle, which is also in ruins. Yet the picturesque crumbling walls and fallen towers sit so precariously alongside the steep slopes of the ocean that this is easily one of the finest castles in Ireland, even in its ruined state.
After admiring views of Dunluce Castle, continue to the Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge. The suspension bridge is only 66 feet long, but it sways 100 feet above the waves of the Atlantic Ocean and will literally take your breath away. Remember to breathe out and then cross the unique bridge to explore Carrick-a-Rede Island and learn about its 350-year history of fishing.
