| How was the Giant's Causeway formed? | | | | to the famous Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge. There |
| Since 1693 the Giant's Causeway has been a | | | | are information panels on display in the area along |
| popular tourist attraction. This was when Trinity | | | | your route, telling you all you need to know about |
| College graduate Sir Richard Bulkeley | | | | the geography of the area, and other scientific |
| acknowledged it in a paper to the Royal Society. | | | | information! |
| It was formed as a result of major volcanic | | | | Along the Causeway Coast Path you'll see the |
| activity some 60 million years ago. The Giants | | | | famous ruins of Dunseverick Castle. This Castle |
| Causeway is composed of about 40,000 basalt | | | | was destroyed by Cromwellian troops in the 17th |
| columns, which spectacularly protrude the Atlantic | | | | century. There's a small picnic area and car park |
| Ocean. Add to this the spectacular coastal and | | | | there. You will also see these ruins if you take the |
| cliff landscapes, with roaring waves crashing | | | | Causeway Cliff Path. |
| against the basalt rock and you'll understand why | | | | The tour of the Giants Causeway area will |
| so many people are drawn to it. | | | | inevitably lead you to beautiful White Park Way, a |
| We are told that the magnificent basalt pillars | | | | majestic sandy beach that was formed in the |
| were created when the lava from the extensive | | | | middle of two headlands on the coast. It's quite |
| volcanic activity cooled in haste as it was flushed | | | | secluded and a perfect place to relax along your |
| into the waters of the ocean. The make up of | | | | Coastal Path Walk! |
| the area around the Causeway is testimony to | | | | The Coastal Path will then lead you to the famous |
| the many volcanic eruptions, which shaped the | | | | Larrybane / Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge. In the |
| north Antrim coastline, during this period. The | | | | past three centuries, this rope bridge has been |
| columns are mostly hexagonal in shape, and are | | | | the only way for local fishermen to reach |
| drawn in stepping stone fashion from the cliff | | | | Carrick-a-Rede Island. Crossing this bridge is not |
| edge to the seabed. The tallest stones are about | | | | for the faint hearted and you will need to be |
| 12 meters high and the lava that makes up the | | | | comfortable with great heights! The adjacent area |
| cliffs in the area is nearly 30 meters thick! | | | | is known as Larrybane and is home to spectacular |
| Geologists have their own theory as to what | | | | white limestone cliffs, which you can see as you |
| created the majestic Giant's Causeway, however | | | | cross the bridge. There are also some prehistoric |
| local folklore gives its own version as to the | | | | forts in the area. This area is the end of the |
| making of this impressive and unique landscape. A | | | | Giants Causeway Coast Path, and on a clear day |
| figure of Celtic Mythology is the Irish Giant, Fionn | | | | you can see Rathlin Island to the North and the |
| McCool. Local legend is that he created the | | | | coast of Scotland to the east. |
| Causeway so that he could cross the Irish Sea to | | | | You will savour this visit to a natural wonder of |
| the Island of Straffa, off the coast of Scotland, | | | | Northern Ireland, and you can walk tall in the |
| to engage in battle with a rival giant, Benadoner. | | | | footsteps of the Giants of Celtic Mythology |
| Adding to the legend are some of the magnificent | | | | across the basalt columns which are at the sea |
| and enigmatic rock creations in the area such as | | | | edge, just a half mile walk from the site entrance. |
| the Giant's Boot, the Wishing Chair and the Organ! | | | | Unfortunately, the Giant's Causeway has been |
| The west coast of Scotland, directly across from | | | | without a permanent Visitor Centre since 2000, |
| the Causeway, has a similar landscape and adds | | | | when the last building burnt down. However, there |
| credence to the legend and local folklore. You | | | | are plans to create a new visitor centre, in |
| may not know that the Causeway area is a | | | | conjunction with the National Trust and Public |
| haven for sea faring birdlife. Popular birds in the | | | | Development. |
| area are guillemots, razorbill and petrels. In the | | | | How to get there |
| sheltered water areas you can find birdlife such as | | | | The Giants Causeway is approximately 1 hour 20 |
| wagtails and eider duck. | | | | minutes drive by car from Belfast. If you take |
| What to do in the area... | | | | the B146 to Bushmills, the Causeway is located |
| There's so much to do in the Giants Causeway | | | | just 2 miles from the village. |
| area. Not only can you enjoy the walks on the | | | | You can also take the train from Belfast or Derry |
| hexagonal stones, and marvel at the majestic | | | | to Coleraine, and drive from there. |
| scenery including chimneystack rock creations | | | | By bus: take the Ulsterbus number 252 from |
| from the flowing lava, the greater area of the | | | | Belfast, which covers the Antrim Glens area. In |
| Causeway is also ideal fro walking. There's a route | | | | the summertime, number 376 runs between |
| called the Causeway Coast Path which, when | | | | Bushmills and the Rope Bridge area at |
| ventured, takes you along the east for 12 miles | | | | Carrick-a-Rede. |