Guide to the Giants Causeway

What do you say about a natural wonder that has been classified as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO? 

The Giants Causeway is the most visited attraction in Northern Ireland and is the island of Ireland's only World Heritage Site.  The Causeway is as a result of ancient volcanic activity which left interlocking basalt columns on the shore.  The only way to really describe this wonder is to view it; the photographs here are nothing as a comparison to what you will see when you visit the site yourself.

As for access, there is a car park on site which charges a nominal amount.  There is also a gift shop at the site.  If you have issues with mobility or are just tired, there is a bus service available to take you down to the stones on the shore which costs an Ulsterbus fare.

There are myths associated with the Causeway with the following being my favourite. 

Long long ago, there was a giant named Finn MacCool who roamed Ireland.  From the present location, he was able to look over to Scotland.  Finn's greatest rival was Benandonne, a Scottish giant.  One day, Finn challenged Benandonne to a battle to decide who was the greatest.  As there was no boat big enough to fit the Scottish Giant, Finn built the Causeway so that Benandonne could traverse from Scotland without getting wet. On the day of Benandonne's arrival, Finn saw him walking across the columns and to his horror realised that Benandonne was larger and more fierce than what Finn expected.  He panicked.  He ran home to his wife and asked her what to do.  His wife, Oonagh, came up with an idea.  She had Finn hide in a cradle dressed as a baby.  When Benandonne came to their house, she invited him in for tea and asked him to be quiet so as not to wake the "baby".  Benandonne took flight as having seen the massive "baby" he did not want to meet the father!  As he fled back to Scotland, he ripped apart the columns within the channel as he did not want Finn to follow him to Scotland for the battle. 

The Giants Causeway is a very busy tourist attraction, so do expect to experience it in the company of others.  Also please be careful when walking on the basalt columns as they can be quite slippery.  All tourist ammenities are here as well as a tourist information centre. 

Also of note is that there is a steam tourist tram between Bushmills and the Giants Causeway for visitors that would like to arrive at the Causeway in style!  This tramway was reopened in 2002 and is a wonderful experience that is recommended for visitors.