Giant’s Causeway

Are you ready to follow in the footsteps of giants??

When I arrived in Northern Ireland, visiting Giant’s Causeway was at the top of my must- sees during my short stay. I had seen photos of this unique-looking causeway for years and knew I wanted to see it up close.

Giant’s Causeway is located in County Antrim on the North Coast of Northern Ireland near the town of Bushmills. It is found along the Causeway Coast Route, which runs from Carrickfergus to Derry. This route is considered to be one of the most beautiful drives in Ireland. I only did part of it, but the views along the way were even better than I imagined.

So where did this unique causeway come from?

The scientific explanation is that the Giant’s Causeway was formed by volcanic activity 50-60 million years ago. The basalt lava oozed up through the chalk beds and then cooled, forming these awesome pillars. Over 40,000 basalt pillars are found here!

While that explanation is great … I prefer the legend of how the causeway was built by the Irish giant Finn MacCool. After being threatened by Scottish giant Benandonner, Finn began tearing up chunks of the Antrim coastline and hurling them into the sea, creating a bridge—the Giant’s Causeway—to reach Benandonner. However, once he arrived in Scotland, he realized that Benandonner was a far bigger giant than himself and Finn turned and ran back to Ireland. To trick Benandonner, he and his wife disguised him as a baby. When Benandonner saw him, he thought, “If that’s how big the baby is, I don’t want to meet the father,” and he fled back to Scotland, destroying much of the causeway so Finn could not follow.

If you visit Fingal’s Cave in Scotland, you will find it shares a similar geology and appearance to the Giant’s Causeway! 

Whichever version you choose to believe, this UNESCO World Heritage Site should definitely be on your must-see list while in Northern Ireland.

Visiting the Giant’s Causeway:

The Giant’s Causeway itself is free to visit.

However, if you decide to go to the visitor’s centre then you will be required to pay. The National Trust recently built a huge visitor centre here and the signs can be misleading, making you think you are required to pay to see the causeway itself. If you choose to go to the visitor’s centre, you will also have access to an audio guide and the Giant’s Causeway car parks. The entrance fee here is £13.50. I opted to avoid the visitor’s centre and take myself on a free tour of this natural wonder!

There are several trails to hike around the Giant’s Causeway varying in length and difficulty. The easiest one is the Blue Trail, leading from the visitor’s centre down to the Giant’s Boot. If you have a limited amount of time to explore the Giant’s Causeway, this is the trail for you.

The hike down is fairly easy, although the terrain is hilly and uneven in spots. Be sure to wear proper shoes.

If mobility is an issue, there is also a shuttle bus that goes from the visitor’s centre down to the causeway for £1. (Times vary and on busy days you may have to wait as space is limited.)

The whole site is stunning, with green fields leading down to the water, but seeing the unique basalt pillars rising up from the water is truly amazing.

The best time to visit is early in the morning or at dusk, when photos are great and the crowds are minimal.

I spent a couple hours here, walking along the coastline, climbing on the pillars, and looking around in awe. It truly is a sight to see up close!

Other stops nearby:

Old Bushmills Distillery – The world’s oldest licensed whiskey distillery. It has been around since 1608. Book a tour or a tasting or just stop by the gift shop or bar.

Dunluce Castle – This beautiful medieval castle, built on the side of a cliff, dates back to the early 1500s. Legend has it that the kitchen broke off and fell into the sea below (along with some of the kitchen staff!). The castle is mainly ruins now with some historical and archaeological exhibits open to the public. This picturesque Irish castle is also a popular spot for wedding photos.

(Open 9 a.m. – 5 p.m., last admission 4:30pm. £6.)

Carrick-a-rede – This rope bridge was built by fishermen in 1755 to assist with their salmon fishing. It hangs 30m above sea level and is now owned by the National Trust. Along with the rope bridge there is a 2km coastal walk and a 400-year-old Fisherman’s Cottage.

If you want to cross the rope bridge, you need to prebook a time. (Note: coaches are no longer allowed to enter the site.)

Carrickfergus Castle – Located in the town of Carrickfergus. This Norman Castle is one of the best-preserved medieval structures in Ireland.

 (Open 9:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., £6.)

Northern Ireland is also home to many filming locations from the hit HBO series Game of Thrones. There are whole tours based around the locations.

Two of the most popular are:

The Dark Hedges – This beautiful avenue of beech trees along Bregagh Road has become one of the most photographed spots in Northern Ireland. In Game of Thrones, it represents the Kingsroad. It has become a very popular tourist spot. It is free to walk along the avenue, but remember that vehicles are not allowed. Parking is available nearby at the Dark Hedges Estate, where you will also find a cafe. The Dark Hedges are a short walk from there.

Cushendun Caves – These caves have been formed over 400 million years. The numerous rock cavities have all been naturally carved out by water and time. There’s a little stone beach leading to the caves. It’s a quick stop, but impressive to see. In Game of Thrones, this is where Melisandre gives birth to the terrible shadow killer. Access to the cave is free and open all year round. Parking is found nearby. Just keep in mind that people live in the flats beside the caves, so follow the trail and avoid the locals’ property.

If you are driving around Northern Ireland, all these stops can easily be seen in a day or two, depending on how long you wish to spend at each stop and how many other stops you want to make along the Causeway Coast Route. If, like me, you are without a car and have a limited amount of time, McComb’s Tours does a great day trip, stopping at all these places and more throughout the day. Book the tour here.

So get out and enjoy the beauty of Northern Ireland!