| The Giant's Causeway is the spectacular section | | | | the top of the cliffs. A worker was moving the |
| of coastline in Northern Ireland. If you ever have | | | | trail inland a bit. When we stopped to talk to him, |
| the chance to drive from Belfast to Londonderry | | | | we found out that a tourist had recently walked |
| along the Causeway Coastal Route, you will see | | | | too close to the edge while taking a photograph |
| the Giant's Causeway and experience one of the | | | | and had fallen. Don't forget your camera, but be |
| most scenic views in the world. | | | | very careful! |
| When I was planning my first trip to Ireland, my | | | | A trip to the Giant's Causeway can be an |
| friend Carol told me I had to see the Giant's | | | | adventure of several days. Start in Belfast and |
| Causeway. So I did. She was right; it was such a | | | | take in some of the wonderful sites such as the |
| beautiful and unusual site. I've been back to visit | | | | Botanical Gardens. As you drive east to the |
| again and hope to make another trip there soon. | | | | coastal highway, stop at Carrickfergus Castle. |
| The Giant's Causeway has been visited since the | | | | Then take your time driving north and visit one or |
| eighteenth century. It is a group of huge | | | | more of the Glens of Antrim and scenic towns |
| geometric-shaped rocks projecting into the | | | | along the way. Carnlough is a beautiful harbor |
| Atlantic Ocean and pillars of rocks making up the | | | | town. Stop in for lunch at one of the Irish pubs. |
| cliffs next to the coastline. The interesting rock | | | | As you near the northern coast of Ireland, you |
| shapes were formed about 60 million years ago | | | | can take a detour off the main highway and drive |
| by volcanic eruptions. The lava cooled to make | | | | along a winding and beautiful route to see Torr |
| the basalt rock. | | | | Head on the east coast. The scenery is stunning! |
| That's the boring, scientific story. If you want the | | | | Don't forget to stop at the Carrick-A-Rede rope |
| truth, the rocks were created by a giant named | | | | bridge and take a short, but slightly scary, walk |
| Finn MacCool. Actually, his Irish name was Finn | | | | over the sea to a nearby island. |
| mac Cumaill. He wanted to fight a rival giant | | | | When you reach the north coast, you may want |
| named Benandonner who lived in Scotland, so he | | | | to stay at a bed and breakfast in Bushmills or, for |
| threw huge stepping stones across the sea so | | | | a real treat, stay at the famous Bushmills Inn. The |
| the Scottish giant could come over and do battle. | | | | food is fantastic, the fires are warm and the |
| When the Scottish giant came across the sea, | | | | lodging is cozy. |
| Finn was scared and ran home to ask his wife, | | | | After a relaxing night, tour the Giant's Causeway |
| Oonagh, to help him hide. His wife disguised Finn as | | | | and take a long hike along the coast. If you stay |
| a baby and put him in a cradle. When | | | | another night, take a tour of Bushmill's Distillery, |
| Benandonner saw the size of the "baby", he | | | | the oldest licensed whiskey distillery in the world. |
| assumed the father would be gigantic. So he ran | | | | Continue your drive west along the north coast |
| home and tore up the rock pathway so Finn | | | | and stop to see the ruins of Dunluce Castle. This |
| couldn't come across. There are similar rock | | | | is one of the most dramatic castle settings you |
| columns at Fingal's Cave on the Scottish island of | | | | will visit. You can imagine how part of the castle |
| Staffa, where the giant returned home. | | | | (and some of the occupants!) once fell into the |
| When you visit the Giant's Causeway, park in the | | | | sea. |
| lot and enter the visitor's center. You will want to | | | | The final part of your trip will include a tour of the |
| watch the informative movie and buy a few | | | | walled city of Londonderry. Learn about the |
| souvenirs. Walk or take the bus down to the | | | | history and culture of this unique destination to |
| coastline to get a close look at the amazing rocks. | | | | complete your journey. |
| You can continue to walk along the trail that | | | | If you visit Northern Ireland and the Giant's |
| takes you to a higher vantage point for an | | | | Causeway, you won't be sorry. Many tourists do |
| amazing view of the coastline. | | | | not venture this far north on their visit to Ireland. |
| When I first visited the Giant's Causeway, my | | | | They don't know what they're missing! |
| friend Mary and I walked all along the coast from | | | | |