Giant's Causeway and Causeway Coast

Map

The Giant's Causeway and Causeway Coast: A Natural Wonder and Cultural Landscape

The Giant's Causeway and Causeway Coast, inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1986, offers a unique blend of natural beauty and cultural significance. This remarkable location lies on the northern coast of Northern Ireland, approximately three miles northeast of the town of Bushmills.

The primary attraction within the site is the Giant's Causeway itself, a geological wonder consisting of around 40,000 interlocking basalt columns. These columns, standing up to 12 meters tall, rise from the sea shore and extend inward towards the Antrim plateau. The formation results from an ancient volcanic fissure eruption, part of the North Atlantic Igneous Province active during the Paleogene period, around 50–60 million years ago.

Geological studies of the Giant's Causeway have played a significant role in the development of earth sciences. The basalt columns, most of which are hexagonal but some of which have four, five, seven, or eight sides, present a fascinating puzzle for scientists who continue to study their formation and evolution. The causeway is not only a testament to the power of nature but also serves as a valuable educational resource for understanding geological processes.

Beyond its geological importance, the Giant's Causeway has been steeped in myth and legend since ancient times. According to one popular tale, the causeway was built by the giant Finn McCool to enable him to challenge his Scottish counterpart, the giant Benandonner. Another legend suggests that the columns were formed when the Irish giant Fionn mac Cumhaill created a path across the sea after being challenged by a Scottish giant.

In addition to the Giant's Causeway, the broader Causeway Coast region encompasses a diverse range of landscapes, including rugged cliffs, sandy beaches, and picturesque villages. Popular attractions in the surrounding area include the Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge, a suspension bridge linking the mainland to a small island, and the Dark Hedges, a tree-lined avenue that served as a filming location for the television series Game of Thrones. While these sites are not part of the official World Heritage Site boundary, they contribute to the wider appeal of the Causeway Coast as a visitor destination.

The Giant's Causeway and Causeway Coast offer visitors a chance to explore a rich tapestry of natural wonders, cultural heritage, and scenic beauty. Whether one is captivated by the scientific mystery of the basalt columns or drawn in by the tales of giants and legends, there is something for everyone in this extraordinary corner of Northern Ireland.

UNESCO Description of the World Heritage Site

The Giant's Causeway lies at the foot of the basalt cliffs along the sea coast on the edge of the Antrim plateau in Northern Ireland. It is made up of some 40,000 massive black basalt columns sticking out of the sea. The dramatic sight has inspired legends of giants striding over the sea to Scotland. Geological studies of these formations over the last 300 years have greatly contributed to the development of the earth sciences, and show that this striking landscape was caused by volcanic activity during the Tertiary, some 50–60 million years ago.

Encyclopedia Record: Giant's Causeway

The Giant's Causeway is an area of approximately 40,000 interlocking basalt columns, the result of an ancient volcanic fissure eruption, part of the North Atlantic Igneous Province active in the region during the Paleogene period. It is located in County Antrim on the north coast of Northern Ireland, about three miles (4.8 km) northeast of the town of Bushmills.

Read more on Wikipedia