Giant's Causeway
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While in this part of Northern Ireland, there is also a fair amount of interesting local flora and fauna. There are many seabirds that nest along the cliffs including the Razorbill, Cormorant, and Guillemot as well as an abundance of rare plant life including the Hare's Foot Treefoil, Vernal Squill, and Frog Orchids.
Creation
was full of
volcanic activity and when the molten basalt met with the chalk beds, they formed the Thulean Plateau . Over time, as the lava cooled
it contracted and split much like when mud dries and cracks. The cracks spread down through the plateau and eventually
created the basalt pillars that are seen today.Mythology
The old Irish Legend believes that the steps were created by a giant named Fionn mac Cumhaill. Fionn was challenged to a fight by the Scottish giant, Benandonner. The fight was accepted and Fionn mac Cumhail built the causeway across the ocean so that the two could meet. From here, the story begins to vary some. There is one tale where Fionn defeats Benandonner and another where Fionn hides as an infant and Benandonner is tricked into believing that if Fionn is an infant then his father must be the biggest giant of all giants and he flees in fear. As Benandonner dashes across the basalt columns back to Scotland, they are destroyed leaving the remainder in Northern Ireland. The matching set is known as Fingal's Cave in Scotland and is on the isle of Staffa.In alternate mythology, the Giant's Causeway is called the Clochán na bhFomhórach, after the Fomorians. The Irish translation is "stepping stones of the Fomhórach". In ancient times, the Fomhórach were said to be a supernatural race sometimes described as giants that were potentially part of the pre-Christian pantheon. As there is no pre-Christian history of the Giant's Causeway, there is no way to know for certain if the two were associated.
Getting There
The Giant's Causeway is a mere 3.2 kilometers from the nearest town of Bushmills. The drive is very simple. From Bushmills, on the roundabout take the 1st exit onto Main Street. Follow Main Street to Whitepark Rd/A2 and make a right hand turn. Continue on Whitepark Rd until Causeway Rd. Turn right onto Causeway Rd and follow it all the way to the Giant's Causeway.If driving from Belfast, allow for an hour and a half each way.
There are also plenty of services to visit the causeway by train or bus.
Nearby Sights
When traveling in Northern Ireland there are plenty of other sights nearby. The most popular are the Dunluce Castle, Mussenden Temple, Slemish Mountain, and Belfast.Do you see any omissions, errors or want to add information to this page? Sign up.
Author: ashley.minor. Last updated: Apr 05, 2015
Pictures of Giant's Causeway
