Photo sourced from Wikimedia

Top 10 Facts about the Giant’s Causeway in Ireland


 

The Irish often refers to Giant’s Causeway as the 8th Wonder of the World. This area is a UNESCO World Heritage site, this was declared in 1986.

In case you are wondering what it is, the Giant Causeway is an area made up of about 40,000 interlocking basalt columns.

 It is a fascinating natural wonder that attracts thousands of people who travel from all over the world to see it.

The columns have a unique hexagonal shape although there are also some with four, five, seven or eight sides.

They form what looks like stepping stones that lead from the cliff foot and disappear under the sea.

What is intriguing about the Giant’s Causeway is that it looks like it was carved by human hands, hence the name, but all credit goes to Mother Nature.

There is a lot more about the Giant Causeway in Northern Ireland. You can read them in the top 10 facts below.

1. It is the 4th greatest natural wonder in the United Kingdom

The Giant Causeway was voted as the 4th greatest natural wonder in the United Kingdom. It was named a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1986.

This World Heritage Site is under the National Trust. It is one of the most popular tourist attractions. People from all over the world come to marvel at this natural wonder.

Access to the Giant’s Causeway is free.  

2. The rocks have been around for more than 60 million years

By David A. Victor – Wikimedia

Just like Stonehenge, whose origin is still a mystery, the Giant Causeway has been around for more than 60 million years.

It is believed that that the rocks were formed during the Paleocene Epoch when Antrim was subjected to intense volcanic activity.

The molten basalt penetrated through the chalk beds and formed the extensive volcanic plateau. The cooling process led to the contraction forming the beautiful shapes of the rocks.

The different sizes and shapes were a result of the different temperatures. Some of the stones are as high as 39 feet.

3. The rocks fit in together perfectly

By missfitz – Wikimedia

The rock formation of the Giant Causeway range in sizes and numbers. Some of the columns have four, seven or eight sides.

These were as a result of the weathering of the rocks that created circular structures, that the locals call giant’s eyes.

Many of these columns fit together that it is impossible to separate them. A bird’s eye view makes the Causeway look like a cobble-stoned street.

There are about 40,000 interlocking columns made from basalt and they have unique hexagonal shapes.

4. Legend has it that the rocks were formed by a giant

Photo sourced from Wikimedia

It is no surprise that there is folklore about the origin of the Giant Causeway. One look at this natural wonder will leave one thinking a supernatural being was behind it.

Local legend says that the Giant Causeway was built by Finn McCool who was a giant. To make it more realistic, there is a rock formation that resembles a giant boot.

It is believed that Finn built this causeway in order to reach Scotland without getting his feet wet. He used it to go to fight his enemy Benandonner.

A similar rock formation can be found at Fingal’s Cave in Scotland.

5. The Giant Causeway is a great spot for bird watching

Other than being a natural wonder, the Causeway is the perfect place for spotting sea birds, including razorbills, cormorants and petrels.

There are also some rare plants that grow through the thin spaces in the rock formation such as sea spleenwort, hare’s-foot trefoil, vernal squill, sea fescue and frog orchid.

You may be lucky to find the stromatolite colony, a rare birds breed that is mostly found in warmer waters with higher saline content.

Other things to look out for are sea anemones, starfish, limpets, the oyster plant and even orb spiders.

6. It has been featured in several films

The Giant’s Causeway has been featured in popular music and films.

It was featured on the cover of the music album “House of the Holy”, by Led Zeppelin in 1973. In another 2011 comedy film, the site was featured as being part of the quest for the main acts.

7. There are more than 40,000 rock columns

By Chmee2 – Wikimedia

It is estimated that there are more than 40,000 rock columns, this is however not the exact number.

The columns have different numbered sides. Most of the stone pillars are hexagonal some have four, seven and others eight.

Constant weathering of the rocks has further eroded them creating circular structures that look like giant eyes.

8. Centuries of weathering have created object-like shapes of the rocks

Some of the rocks at the Giant Causeway have taken interesting shapes due to constant wind and water erosion.

Some of the rocks resemble familiar objects such as the Organ, a giant’s boot, Shepherd’s Steps, the Honeycomb, the Giant’s Harp, the Chimney Stacks, the Giant’s Gate and the Camel’s Hump.

9. A lot of shipwrecks happened here

These beautiful rocks have dark sides to them. Many ships crashed in this area.

The rocks are dark and could not be seen clearly by the seafarers. In 1588, a Spanish ship known as Girona, hit the rocks after it was swept in a bad storm.

Several divers scavenge the place buried treasure. MacDonnell from Dunluce Castle salvaged gold and cannons from the shipwreck and used the money to extend and modernise his fortress.

Some of the salvaged treasures such as gold, silver and other precious stones can be found in the Belfast Ulster Museum.

10. The visitors centre is a must-see

The centre was opened in July 2012. There was a contest for the winning design of the centre.

The Giant’s Causeway Visitor Centre was the result of an international architecture competition.

It was designed by Dublin-based architects Heneghan and Peng who won the multimillion project to design the building.

The building has been awarded several prestigious for its innovative design and its sustainability. There are a souvenir shop and a café too. 

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