This is the Giants Causeway, built by the legendary Giant Finn McCool and you can certainly feel his presence here. Steeped in myth and tales of times gone by, this is a stunning place in summer and even more so in winter when the froth from the sea is whipped into the air and falls like snow.
The story goes...
There once was a giant named Finn McCool who lived on the north coast of Ireland. Just eleven miles away in Scotland, there lived another giant called Benadonner. A bitter fued raged between the two of them until one day both lost their tempers and began throwing clods of earth across the sea at each other. Thus the causeway was built. Benadonner, in his rage, crossed the causeway to square up to Finn but Finn, being an Ulster man, was wise. He wrapped himself in cloth and curled up like a baby. When Benadonner arrived he met Finns wife who showed him the baby and said Finn would be there shortly. Benadonner got worried for if this was the child, the man must be huge. He scurried back to Scotland ripping the Causeway up on his way and hid in a cave on Scaffa, a scottish island. The cave is called Fingals cave and strangely has the exact same columns as the Causeway.
Not only did Finn McCool build this causeway, he was also responsible for the largest lough in Europe, Lough Neagh, which sits in the middle of Northern Ireland. The land that filled this lough now lies in the Irish sea and is called the Isle of Man.
The top left photo shows the shape of the basalt stones, the result of rapid cooling lava some 50 million years ago. The stones are mostly heaxagonal and form some spectacular columns and what is known today as the Giants Causeway. This is now owned by the National Trust. Parking is £6 and entry onto the site is free. It is a steep climb and a bus is available for those who would rather not walk. A shop is on site an a new visitor centre is under construction. Park and ride is £1.50 from Bushmills.
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