Destination List > Giant's Causeway

Giant's Causeway

Photo by Lindy Buckley

The history...

The Giant’s Causeway is a natural wonder located on the coast of Northern Ireland. It is famous for its unique rock formations made up of about 40,000 interlocking basalt columns. Most of these columns are hexagonal in shape, and they were formed by a volcanic eruption around 60 million years ago. When the lava from the eruption cooled quickly, it cracked and formed these fascinating shapes, giving the coastline its unusual look.

According to Irish legend, the Giant’s Causeway was built by a giant named Finn McCool. The story says that Finn built the causeway to create a path to Scotland, where he wanted to challenge a rival giant. When he saw how big his opponent was, Finn ran back to Ireland, and the causeway was destroyed, leaving behind only the stones we see today.

In reality, the causeway was discovered by scientists in 1693, and it has since become one of Northern Ireland’s most popular tourist attractions. The site is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, meaning it is protected because of its natural importance.

Visitors to the Giant’s Causeway can walk on the stones, explore the coastline, and learn more about the fascinating mix of science and legend that surrounds this famous site.

Source ChatGPT