Giantʹs Causeway
Worth visiting
Added on 15 Jan 2019,
last edited by »biroto-Redaktion« on 15 Jan 2019
Nearby cycle routes and tours
| Route name | Type | Dist. to route |
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Route | 0,8 km | |
Tour | 0,8 km | |
Tour | 0,8 km |
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Type of sights
Natural landmark / World heritage site
Name and address
Giantʹs Causeway
GB-BT57 8SU County Antrim
GEO-data
Geodetic coordinates
55.240833 -6.511667
Communication
Internet
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Giant's Causeway (Irish: Clochán an Aifir) is a spectacular rock formation on the Antrim coast of Northern Ireland. The site consists of some 40,000 basalt columns rising out of the sea. The Giant's Causeway is Northern Ireland's only UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Understand
Myth
Popular mythology attributes the creation of the Causeway to an Irish giant named Fionn mac Cumhaill. To prove his superior strength and status, Fionn decided to fight against a rival Scottish giant named Benandonner. As there was no boat large enough to carry huge Finn across the sea to confront Bennandonner, he built his own pathway of stepping stones from Ireland to Scotland. He then was able to walk across the sea without getting his feet wet.
When he crossed the sea, however, he saw just how large Benandonner was. He ran back to Ireland before Bennandonner saw him, but the causeway was built and Bennandonner came to fight. Fionn crawled into a crib and when Bennandonner came to the door to fight him, his wife told him not to wake the baby. Seeing just how large Fionn's "baby" was, Bennandonner grew afraid and ran back to Scotland, tearing up the causeway as he went to prevent Fionn following him.
Scientific explanation
The true explanation while not as colorful as the myths of yore is still quite interesting. Scientists now agree that about 60 million years ago a volcano let basalt come to or close to the surface that slowly cooled forming the polygon-shapes as the hot material contracted due to cooling. The hexagonal shape is most common as it is the most "efficient" way to "pack" material (just as it is in a beehive). Later erosion formed the current structure, as the basaltic material forming the pillars is more resistant to erosion than other material. Similar structures (though in less impressive locations) can be found throughout the world.
See
The focal point of the area is, of course, the Giant's Causeway. There is no charge for visiting the causeway.
It is an interesting site to see but come prepared for a long and intense walk. Best to wear waterproof clothing and strong footwear. Giant's Causeway is split up into six sections; in walking order:
- The Camel.
- The Granny.
- The Wishing Chair.
- The Chimney Tops.
- The Giant's Boot.
- The Organ.
All six parts of the Giant's Causeway are different in shape and form and truly are a sight to be seen.
Information about copyright | |
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Rights characteristic / license | by-sa: CREATIVE COMMONS Attribution-ShareAlike |
Link to the description of the license | |
Input taken over from: |
Wikivoyage contributors, 'Giant's Causeway', Wikivoyage, The FREE worldwide travel guide that anyone can edit, 27 December 2018, 02:31 UTC, <https://en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?title=Giant%27s_Causeway&oldid=3678822> [accessed 15 January 2019] |
taken over / edited on | 15 Jan 2019
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taken over / edited by |
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Nearby cycle routes and tours
| Route name | Type | Dist. to route |
|---|---|---|
Route | 0,8 km | |
Tour | 0,8 km | |
Tour | 0,8 km |
Added on 15 Jan 2019,
last edited by »biroto-Redaktion« on 15 Jan 2019