Giants Causeway Photo Tour

Visitors climb on the rocks near the water at Giants Causeway.

The Natural Wonder of Giants Causeway!

On an island of stunning landscapes, Giants Causeway, on Northern Ireland’s Antrim coast, is one of the most gorgeous.  Spring is the best time of year for exploring the coast, also referred to as the Causeway Coast, but no trip is complete without a visit to the Causeway itself.

Three periods of volcanic activity formed the Causeway Coast, leaving a series of basalt formations that create the Causeway.  Perhaps the giants are unaware, but the basalt formations are not unique.  Similar volcanic remains are found on every continent except Antarctica, and almost without exception, they create a picture perfect scene.  Many of these areas are known by locals, or countrymen, and sometimes throughout the region. But none are world-renowned like the Giants Causeway.

Perhaps it is because at Giants Causeway the 40,000 basalt pillars appear perfectly uniform.  Perhaps it is how they are stacked between volcanic plateau cliffs and the rugged Atlantic.  Or perhaps it is nothing more than the fact that this is Ireland, the land of myths, magic, and legends.

If you don’t have time to enjoy the legend now, you can Pin it for later.

A hill of basalt columns, a perfect location for a Giant's Causeway photo.

Gigantic basalt columns at Giants Causeway.

 

 

The legendary creation of Giants Causeway

It is the legend of Finn MacCool that stems from the Causeway, or perhaps it was Finn MacCool that created the Causeway to forever tell his tale.  Finn was a giant, some 52 feet tall.  But in the myths of giants, Finn was kindly, and relatively small.  Across the sea, in Scotland, there was a rival giant, Benandonner.  The two giants yelled across the sea at each other, and finally, it was decided that they must have a test of strength, to decide which was the greater.

Finn labored furiously, heaving great stones into the sea to form a bridge across Irish Sea, so the two could meet to have their match of strength.  When his work was complete, Finn was deeply tired, and fell into a deep sleep.

While Finn was sleeping, his wife, Oonagh, heard the thundering steps of Benandonner as he approached for the battle of strength.  She realized that this enemy was HUGE.  She rushed to Finn’s room and dressed him in her night-cap and night-shirt.

When Benandonner arrived, he bellowed for the Finn to come for the battle.  Oonagh scolded him, telling him to be quiet, lest he wake the babe. When Benandonner scoffed in return, Oonagh let him peer in to see Finn sleeping, in the night-cap and shirt.

When Benandonner saw the sleeping “baby,” he became terrified.  If the baby was this large, the father must be gigantic.  He decided against the battle of strength, and fled back to Scotland.  Just to be sure that he would never have to face this gargantuan Finn, he tore up the bridge between the islands, leaving only the causeway.

While Finn and Benandonner went on to other mythical adventures on each of their islands, the Giants Causeway has been a source of wonder ever since.



Giants Causeway Photo Tour

Giant's Causeway, Northern Ireland, Photo Tour.
All of the rock along the coast is formed of basalt, or hardened lava.
Giant's Causeway, Northern Ireland, Photo Tour.
Three periods of volcanic activity formed the various formations in the area.
Giant's Causeway, Northern Ireland, Photo Tour.
The red layer that runs through the center of the plateau contains a very high iron content.

Geologists have an entirely different explanation for the how the amazing landscape came to be.  It all started  about 60, yes, 60 million years ago, when there was intense volcanic activity in the area.  A bunch of molten rock came up through fissures and formed a plateau of lava.  This plateau just drops off, forming the cliffs along the coast.




The third phase of volcanic action formed what now appears to be a layer along the top of the plateau.  This band was iron rich in comparison to the two before.  The bands from this phase can clearly be seen from the water, as they are a deep red along the top of the black band beneath.  This layer is only visible due to erosion, and it is called the Inter Basaltic Bed.

Strangely, it was actually the phase in the middle which formed the columns that are commonly known as the Giants Causeway.  The columns came to be because the lava in this layer was cooling quickly.  When the outside crust was formed, the inside was still hot.  The outside began to dry out, and crack, much like skin cracks as it gets too dry.

But we think the story of Finn MacCool suits the wonder of Giants Causeway perfectly, and we will stick with that!

Giant's Causeway, Northern Ireland, Photo Tour.
The high land behind is called the Antrim Plateau, formed by another period of volcanic activity.
Giant's Causeway, Northern Ireland, Photo Tour.
This formation of Giants Causeway is called the organ, as seen from a distance it resembles the pipes of an organ.
The tall basalt pillars of Giants Causeway.
Approaching from this side along the striking pillars is really quite awesome.
Two men climbing to basalt at Giants Causeway.
Climbing can be quite a challenge.



Visitors exploring the rocks along the coast.
Giants Causeway is sandwiched between the Antrim plateau, and the northern Atlantic Ocean.
Looking up the peaked rock formation at Giants Causeway.
Standing in this location, I found the view striking in every direction.
The basalt columns of Giants Causeway.
Giants Causeway is Northern Ireland’s only UNESCO World Heritage site, selected for the prime example of the earth’s evolutionary history, and the rare and superlative natural phenomenon.

From a distance, the basalt columns appear quite uniform.  However, upon closer examination it becomes apparent that there is quite a bit of variation.  Although all are hexagonal, the number of sides generally fluctuates between 3 and 7, and a few even have 8 sides.  The circumference of the pillars also varies.

It is actually this size that cause the differences along the tops of the pillars.  Some are convex, and some are concave.  Each column has a number of joints along it’s length.  The name for this is corrugation.  These joints can be seen in close up views.  When the larger columns pressed in on the smaller columns during the drying process, it changed the form of the joints.  The larger pillars then have the concave surfaces and joints, while the smaller are convex.  This is why only some of the pillars have little pools of water from the tide.

Giant's Causeway, Northern Ireland, Photo Tour.
The basalt columns actually can have between 3 and 7 sides, with a few rare 8 sided pillars. There is actually a great variety close up, but at a distance, the similarity is striking.
Giant's Causeway, Northern Ireland, Photo Tour.
A close up of the pillars reveals the variance.
Giant's Causeway, Northern Ireland, Photo Tour.
A number of rare and interesting plant species survive the trampling of hundreds of thousands of visitors to the Causeway each year.
A long stretch of basalt columns.
Visitors make their way all through the pillars to explore.



A man and woman bundled up in hoodies from the Giants Causeway gift shop.
The North Atlantic winds can be quite brisk, even late into spring. The gift shop has some warm options, just in case.
Giant's Causeway, Northern Ireland, Photo Tour.
The view in every direction is gorgeous, and here we look to the west.
Giant's Causeway, Northern Ireland, Photo Tour.
Eventually, the power of the Atlantic wins over the strength of stone.
Giant's Causeway, Northern Ireland, Photo Tour.
A close up of the formation known as the camel.

Giants Causeway has been awarded the honor of being a UNESCO World Heritage Site.  It is the only such one in Northern Ireland.  UNESCO stands for the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization.

There is a very specific list of criteria that must be met for a location to become a Heritage Site, and it is a highly coveted award.  Each year numerous countries vie to have their prized destinations nominated and awarded the title.  In addition, once named, a site must maintain a strict set of standards to retain the title.

Giants causeway happens to be on the list as both a cultural and a natural site.  To put this in context, there are only 25 such sites in the entire world!

Giant's Causeway, Northern Ireland, Photo Tour.
Standing on the pillars, and zooming in on the view to the west.
Giant's Causeway photo tour, Northern Ireland.
Even closer.
Visitors walking along the hillside trail.
Visitors come and go continuously.
A rocky outcrop in the sea.
A view from just in front of the Visitor’s Center.



Giant's Causeway, Northern Ireland, Photo Tour.
Explorers can barely be seen on the cliff top.
Giant's Causeway photo tour, Northern Ireland.
One of my favorite views. from the trails, showing the tiny passenger bus on the road, taking a new set of visitors to Giants Causeway.
A broad pasture and the coastline of the Atlantic.
This view from the walking trails to the west seems oddly serene, but volcanic formations can still be seen in the sea.
Wooden boardwalk through pasture along the coast.
A boardwalk walking trail leads across the pasture and a small residential area lies just to the west of the Causeway.
Green pastures and houses along the coast.
The chimneys that can be barely seen belong to a private residence. It would be quite a place to live!

If our Giants Causeway photo tour has intrigued you, make a visit to Northern Ireland’s Antrim coast soon, and do some exploring of your own.

The Causeway is open at 9:00 every day except Christmas and New Years.  The trails are accessible, and portions of the formations are as well.  The Visitor’s Center has informational displays and a film, as well as a cafe and gift shop.  For more information see Ireland’s National Trust website.

It is a very special place, and being a UNESCO World Heritage Site tells you that is not just our opinion.  The United Nations thinks so too.

If you are considering a visit to Ireland, start with Our 10 Day Ireland Itinerary, and you will want to add some exploration of the Causeway Coastal Route to your trip!
If you are interested in more of Ireland’s natural wonders, you will want check out The Cliffs of Moher and O’Briens Tower.
For places with less visitors, try the Skellig Ring, or the Irish Countryside.  

Collage of basalt pillars at Giants Causeway.

Collage of basalt columns at Giants Causeway.

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

Giant's Causeway, Northern Ireland, Photo Tour.
Giants Causeway Visitor’s Center, built to become a part of the landscape.

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