Everything You Should Know About The Giant’s Causeway, Northern Ireland

Have you ever thought about visiting Northern Ireland? The country is undoubtedly full of amazingly beautiful sites, it’s my cherished home land and always comes number one on my backpacking journeys. The scenery is amazing, the people are nice, and the country is very safe. If you’re interested in traveling to the country, you will definitely want to make a stop at the Giant’s Causeway. If you’ve never heard about this natural wonder, you’re truly missing out! Within this comprehensive guide, you learn everything there is to know about this amazing structure.

What Is It? 
Before booking your tickets, you should take the time to better familiarize yourself with this magnificent structure. The Giant’s Causeway is known by a variety of different names, including the Giant’s Causey, Clochan an Aifir, and the Clochannabh Fomhorach.

The site was officially declared a World Heritage Site in 1986. This is all swell, but what precisely is this structure and what resulted in its formation? Well, the causeway is actually the result of an ancient volcanic eruption. When visiting the area, you’ll be truly amazed to discover how one chaotic event can create something so marvelous and beautiful.

How The Natural Wonder Came About?

While Northern Ireland’s Giant’s Causeway is a phenomenal creation, many have come to believe that it was the result of volcanic activity from many decades before. The volcano spewed extremely hot molten lava throughout the plateau and once it cooled down, leaving the amazing pillar-like structure that you see today. Of course, there have been many legendary tales told about the Causeway, with one of them revolving around a mystical giant, who somehow managed to create it by himself.

The fables did not stop there. In fact, the giant had a name and many knew him by Fionn Mac Cumhaill. The story goes on to tell about Fionn accepting a challenge from another giant foe. It is obvious that this tale takes on many different characteristics and alterations throughout the decades. Some traditional Irish myths have gone so far as to say that Cumhaill held a supernatural ability that aided him in the creation of the Causeway.

The Site’s Amazing Features

This structure and those nearby have been around for an enormous period of time. Due to their age, they’ve been forced to endure the wrath of Mother Nature for quite some time. By closely examining the majority of these structures, you’ll be able to see the effects of erosion. In fact, Mother Nature has actually transformed a few of these structures into something even more amazing. For instance, one of the massive stones closely resembles a boot, which is unsurprisingly referred to as The Giant’s Boot.

Also, your breath will be taken, when you set sight upon The Chimney Stacks and the Basalt columns. The entirety of the area is a sight to behold, but these additional structures are impossible to ignore.

Wildlife And Flora

Just when you thought it couldn’t get any better, the Giant’s Causeway is a haven for an array of exotic birds and plants. If you’re an avid birdwatcher, you’ll find a lot to like about this area. Fulmar, shag, redshank, and razorbill are all native to the area. Be sure to bring along your camera, because you’ll definitely want to capture the once in a lifetime experience for eternity. Of course, the reasons for visiting the area do not stop there!

The causeway is also home to an array of rare plants. The weathered stone formations are popular habits for trefoil, sea fescue, hare’s-foot, and frog orchid. A stromatolite colony was apparently discovered nearby in October of 2011. So, if you’re going to be visiting, you better be prepared to keep an eye out for these rarities.

Accessibility

Initially, it might seem like accessing the structure would be incredibly difficult. This is actually a common misconception. In fact, there are several different ways to visit the Causeway. First and foremost, it is possible to get to the vicinity, by riding the Belfast-Derry railway line. From there, a local Ulsterbus will take you even closer, you can base yourself at the Whitepark Bay Inn in Ballintoy. There is also a nearby scenic walk, which spans approximately 7 miles. Of course, if really want to check out the area in the most memorable way possible, it is highly recommended that you check out Allen’s Tours!

Overall 

Thousands of tourists flock to the Giant’s Causeway each year, just to catch a glimpse of the amazing Northern Irish, natural wonderment. It is a challenging tour that gives visitors the opportunity to walk over the basalt columns. This is a ½ mile adventure that requires a comfortable pair of walking shoes and comfortable clothing. This is definitely a sight to see at least once in a lifetime and while you’re up in the north coast, be sure to check out Derry’s Walls, the Bushmills Distillery and the Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge on your way back to Belfast City.