finn mccool and the giants causeway
Northern Ireland's mystical attraction boasts views across to Scotland.
As the sun rises over Northern Ireland, the view from one area of the north coast is nothing short of stunning. With the rays bouncing off the Atlantic Ocean, standing on one of the three outcrops of volcanic rock, frozen in perfect hexagonal columns, it seems as though time itself has stopped. With just the sound of the water lapping at the shore, it's more tranquil than anything you could possibly imagine. It could be the setting of a myth - and, in fact, it is.
Legend has it that the Causeway was created by giant Finn McCool as he threw rocks into the water to cross to Scotland and teach another giant, Benandonner, a lesson. Things didn't exactly go Finn's way, and as he scarpered back to Ireland, he destroyed some of the rocks so that Benandonner couldn't follow him. However, the truth is far less tense - the rocky crops are 60 million-year-old pieces of lava that cooled into more than 40,000 interlocking basalt columns, creating something that's breathtaking and awesome in equal measure. And you can climb all over them, all the way out so you can almost touch the ocean - although this isn't advisable on the rare occasion of very strong winds, as there is no barrier between you and the water!
It's easy to see why the Giant's Causeway became a UNESCO Heritage Site in 1986. Northern Ireland's only attraction to make the list, it holds a lot of geological value, is a totally unique place, and has been venerated in both science and the arts over the years. There's more to see than just those outcrops, though. Perhaps most famous is the Wishing Chair, a natural throne created by the basalt columns, and there's also Finn McCool's camel. Local folklore claims it was the only steed that could carry the giant; it's also made of lava that is millions of years old.
If walking is more your thing, there are a few paths, like Shepherd's Steps, that take you up the cliff face, past the Organ Pipes and towards an eight-kilometre (five-mile) path that stretches along the picturesque north coast. You can use this route to visit the scenic ruins of Dunseverick Castle to the east, and on a clear day, you can see over the water to Islay, the southernmost island in Scotland's Hebrides chain. The coastline itself is nothing short of stunning - taking a stroll should be high on your list of priorities.
For those who don't want to take lunch with them, there's a pub a short walk away from the visitor centre called The Nook that offers a true taste of Ulster. The visitor centre itself also hosts a cafe, as well as being home to a small exhibition about the Causeway with interactive activities for children. At the Giant's Causeway, there really is something for everyone, and it's all just waiting to be discovered.