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The Giant’s Causeway (Clochán na bhFómharach in Gaelic) is undoubtedly the number 1 attraction for any traveller to Northern Ireland. Located in Bushmills, County Antrim, this site is one of the most impressive in the world! And with good reason! It’s a gigantic geological formation made up of over 40,000 hexagonal basalt columns, some of them up to 12 metres high! Every year, millions of tourists flock here to admire its beauty. A must-see!
The Giant’s Causeway – © Yggdrasill
Before delving into the science behind these formations, it’s worth noting that the Giant’s Causeway is first and foremost the birthplace of an important Irish legend.
The locals are attached to it, and don’t fail to evoke it with a certain amusement. Rather poetic, it deserves to be known!
Everything would have happened in ancient times. At this time, 2 giants live opposite each other: the first (named Finn MacCool) is in Ireland, and the second (Benandonner) is in Scotland.
The 2 giants maintain an unbridled rivalry, and hurl insults and pet names at each other. Each wants to do battle, but there’s no boat big enough for either of them to cross the sea to face each other.
One day, the Scottish giant goes too far: he insults Finn MacCool‘s wife. He decided to build a road across the sea to reach his sworn enemy. To do this, he lays stones one against the other… until they form a gigantic pavement (which corresponds to the Giant’s Causeway).
However, once there, Finn McCool takes fright at the Scottish giant, who is twice his size. He immediately returned to Ireland and told his wife of his misadventure.
She has a cunning idea and disguises her husband as an infant. When Benandonner arrives at their house and sees the “baby”, he gets scared. He figures that if the child is that big, he’d rather not meet the father!
Frightened, the Scottish giant turned back. He returns to Scotland and, to make sure Finn MacCool can’t follow him, he destroys the roadway behind him.
In Ireland, all that remains of this causeway are the stones that today make up the Giant’s Causeway.
For over three hundred years, this amusing story has been told to Irish children to explain the origin of the site.
Giant’s Causeway – © Orion Media Group
So much for the legend… But of course, it’s not a scientific explanation.
Far from stories of giants, the truth lies in the movements of plate tectonics over 50 million years ago.
At this time, the Eurasian and North American plates would have begun to move apart, opening the Earth’s crust and spreading lava on the surface. This lava would then have cooled so rapidly that it would have immediately taken on hexagonal shapes. Near-perfect shapes, all tightly welded together.
Today, there are over 40,000 columns on the site. This unique formation has earned it UNESCO World Heritage status… and attracts thousands of visitors every year, who come to survey the columns and admire all the beauty and strength of Irish nature.
View of the Giant’s Causeway – © Sergii Figurnyi
You don’t need a guidebook to visit the Giant’s Causeway: nature provides everything it has, and all for our enjoyment! To make sure you don’t miss out on any of this sumptuous scenery, here’s a quick rundown of things not to be missed…
Generally speaking, the Giant’s Causeway is divided into 3 zones:
This is the largest part of the site. It begins on the shore, at the foot of the cliffs. At first glance, it appears to be a haphazard collection of gigantic pillars. Closer to the water, on the other hand, it’s easy to guess the shape of a road for giants, as the hexagonal slabs level out to form a sort of cobbled path 20 to 30 metres wide. At low tide, it’s even possible to follow this stone path for a few hundred meters until it gradually disappears beneath the waves, as if it were continuing towards Scotland.
Note that there are supervisors in charge of preserving the site and ensuring your safety. Also, avoid venturing into dangerous areas.
These are grouped together along the Grande Chaussée. They look more like mounds than roads. Although the columns close to the water are wet and very slippery, it’s easy to climb from one to the other, as their tops are flat. But be careful not to fall!
Giant’s Causeway – S-F / Shutterstock.com
Over the years, people have named some of these rock formations.
It’s true that their original shapes are a breeding ground for anyone with an imagination!
Here is an overview of the most famous places on the Giant’s Causeway:
The rock formation known as “The Harp” is another natural curiosity to be found in Northern Ireland’s Giant’s Causeway. Like other formations such as Giant’s Boot and Wishing Chair, La Harpe is formed of basalt columns that cooled and crystallized millions of years ago.
This particular formation is remarkable for its resemblance to a harp, the musical instrument often associated with Celtic mythology and culture. The positioning of the columns evokes the strings of a harp, which probably contributed to its name and association with local legends.
It’s fascinating to think how nature has created such formations, which not only marvel at their geological beauty, but also their ability to evoke elements of local culture. For fans of folklore, some might even suggest that this stone harp may have been “played” by the giant Finn McCool, adding a further layer of mystery and legend to the site.
If you have the opportunity to visit the Giant’s Causeway, take a moment to look for this specific formation. As with the other formations, it’s a wonderful photo opportunity and a chance to delve a little deeper into the wonderful blend of natural beauty and folklore that makes this such a special World Heritage Site.
The Wishing Chair is a natural rock formation on Northern Ireland’s famous Giant’s Causeway. This stone chair has been sculpted by erosion over the millennia and has become an almost obligatory stopping-off point for visitors to the site.
According to local legend, this chair has the power to grant the wishes of those who sit in it. In the past, it would seem that only women were allowed to sit on this mystical chair, but today it’s accessible to everyone, regardless of age or gender.
One of the most fascinating features of the Wishing Chair is its smooth, shiny surface. This phenomenon is explained by the countless people who have taken their place here over the years, each unconsciously contributing to the further polishing of the rock.
The Giant’s Pipe Organ – © Nigar
The Giant’s Pipe Organ is a basalt column that resembles the pipes of an organ.
It consists of several hexagonal columns stacked one on top of the other, reaching heights of almost 12 metres.
The illusion is so striking that you might almost expect to hear melodies emanating from the rocks. It’s a sight to marvel at, and if you’re a bit of a music lover or simply curious about geological phenomena, this formation is a must-see on your visit.
As for the Giant’s Boot, this rocky curiosity is surprisingly shaped like a boot. According to folklore, this boot belonged to the giant Finn McCool, the mythical figure who was supposed to have built the Causeway to Scotland. The boot is big enough to give credence to legends of giants, and it makes an excellent photo subject to add a touch of humor to your travel album.
The Camel – Bob White – cc
Ah, the Camel is another intriguing rock formation that adds to the mystique of Northern Ireland’s Giant’s Causeway. As its name suggests, this formation has the appearance of a camel, or at least leaves enough to the imagination to evoke the image of this desert animal.
The Camel formation is actually a cluster of basalt columns formed in the same way as the other structures on the Giant’s Causeway. The columns have been sculpted by erosion processes over time to take their present form.
Although less famous than other formations such as the Giant’s Boot or the Giant’s Pipe Organ, the Camel also has its place in local folklore. Some say it was the mount of the giant Finn McCool, who would have used this “stone creature” to travel between the Causeway and other places in the region. Of course, this is more amusing legend than historical fact, but it adds a layer of mystery and magic to this already impressive natural structure.
If you visit the Giant’s Causeway, don’t forget to look for the Camel and imagine what life might have been like for the legendary Finn McCool riding such a “beast”. It’s another reason why the Chaussée is such a captivating place, where natural beauty and folklore combine to create an unforgettable tourist experience.
The Clifftop Trails of the Giant’s Causeway offer an unforgettable hiking experience. Situated above the emblematic rock formations of the Chaussée, these trails allow you to appreciate the site from a completely different angle. Imagine walking along a cliffside, with the Atlantic Ocean stretching as far as the eye can see and the famous basalt columns below. It’s a sensational way to experience the majesty of the landscape while enjoying a good dose of outdoor exercise.
The views from the Clifftop Trails are simply breathtaking. From up there, not only do you have a panoramic view of the Giant’s Causeway itself, but you can also see the Scottish coastline on a clear day. It’s a golden opportunity for photography enthusiasts, or anyone who just wants to sit back and admire the view.
The cliffs are also an excellent place to watch seabirds. If you’re lucky, you might even spot dolphins or seals swimming in the waters below. Nature lovers will also be delighted by the diversity of flora, from wildflowers to cliff grasses, which add touches of color to this already impressive landscape.
The Cheminey of the Giant’s Causeway – © Ossie
The vertical rock formations of the Giant’s Causeway are often referred to as chimneys. These structures are actually basalt columns formed by the rapid cooling of lava during volcanic activity some 60 million years ago. As the basalt cooled and contracted, it cracked into generally hexagonal patterns, giving rise to these columns that rise like natural chimneys.
This spectacle attracts geologists, researchers and tourists from all over the world who come to study and admire these unique formations.
These chimneys are reminiscent of events associated with the Invincible Armada, the famous Spanish fleet. These few columns, cut off from the cliff by erosion, overlook the coast from the top of their promontory. It’s easy to imagine sailors at sea mistaking them for the chimneys of a great castle. Presumably, the Girona, a Spanish vessel fleeing after the defeat of the invincible Armada in 1588, dropped a broadside against these pillars, which it believed to be an enemy castle.
The “Giant’s Loom” is another intriguing geological formation you can discover on your visit to the Giant’s Causeway in Northern Ireland. This particularity owes its name to its resemblance to a loom, a tool used to weave textiles. The basalt columns are arranged to evoke the threads of a loom, adding another layer of fascination to this already extraordinary site.
The name also evokes the myths and legends surrounding the Giant’s Causeway, notably the stories of Finn McCool, the legendary giant. Folklore has it that Finn used this gigantic “loom” to make his clothes, adding to the site’s charm and mystery.
The “Giant’s Coffin” is another fascinating geological formation you can find at the Giant’s Causeway. As its name suggests, this formation resembles a giant coffin, creating another link with local legends of giants like Finn McCool.
Although less famous than other formations such as the Wishing Chair or Giant’s Boot, the Cercueil des Géants is well worth a visit. It’s a perfect stopover for photographers, folklore enthusiasts and those simply curious to see all the wonders the Giant’s Causeway has to offer.
The “Giant’s Cannon” is another spectacular formation you can discover on your Giant’s Causeway adventure. This geological structure bears a striking resemblance to a cannon, adding a touch of fantasy and wonder to this already impressive natural site.
The Giant’s Cannon is made up of basalt columns lined up to resemble a cannon pointing out to sea.
This stone cannon looks ready to fire, and in the context of local legends, it’s easy to imagine it being used by the giant Finn McCool to defend his territory.
Giant’s Eyes” is another geological formation to discover on your visit to the Giant’s Causeway. This pair of rock formations resembles eyeballs… A little strange!
Opened on July 3, 2012, the Giant’s Causeway site now boasts a brand new Visitor Information Center. Impossible to miss with its modern architecture, reminiscent of the geometry of the site’s basalt columns, the Giant’s Causeway finally has a Visitor Centre to match its natural beauty.
Featuring a coffee shop and gift store, the building also boasts an exhibition room, which explains the extraordinary geological formation of the Giant’s Causeway.
What’s more, the creation of this brand-new information center has also enabled the National Trust to improve the paths along the coastline. Orientation points and information panels have been installed everywhere to better guide visitors, without detracting from the beauty of the landscape.
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