Gems of The Emerald Isle Series: Giant’s Causeway The Gems of the Emerald Isle Series is a collection of articles about the wonders of nature and famous attractions in Ireland. In this post, we begin with the Giant’s Causeway. The Giant’s Causeway lies along the sea coast of County Antrim, Northern Ireland (part of the United Kingdom). It is roughly 60 miles away from Belfast City Center. Legend has it that Fionn mac Cumhaill (Finn MacCool), an Irish giant was so determined to defeat his most fierce enemy, Benandonner, the giant from the Isle of Staffa in Scotland. Finn did not want to get his feet wet so he built the causeway across the sea to Scotland. He summoned Benandonner for a fight. Not realizing that Benandonner was extremely bigger than he expected, Finn retracted, went home and disguised as a baby tucked in a cradle. Benandonner followed him to Ireland and when he saw the size of the 'baby', he got frightened that the baby's father, Finn must be a giant among the giants. He turned-tail and ran away back to Scotland, destroying the causeway behind him so Finn could not follow. The columns we see now are just remnants of a huge road built by Finn, which is presumably once linking Ireland to Scotland. Interestingly, a similar geographical formation can also be seen in the Isle of Staffa. While the legend sounds amusing, the Giant’s Causeway itself is astonishing! Resulting from a volcanic eruption 60 million years ago, the Giant’s Causeway has about 40,000 gently inclined interlocking formations made of basalt (volcanic rocks or solidified lava) sticking out of the sea. Most of the rocks are seven, six or five-sided, while some are four or eight-sided. It is perplexing to think that massive volcanic eruptions could result into something symmetrical and perfectly-spaced patterns. Geologists explain this process as columnar jointing. Definition (http://www.dictionary.com): A structure that forms in rocks (most commonly in basalt) that consists of columns (mostly commonly hexagonal in shape) that are separated by joints or fractures in the rock that formed when the rock contracted, most often during cooling. When the lava flowed to the sea, the basalt cooled rapidly from the outside toward the center, causing shrinkage cracks to form. It’s about half a mile walk down to the Giant’s Causeway from the Visitor Center itself along steep slopes and gravel paths. But it’s not rigorous walk, you will be rewarded with stunning views and picture-postcard sceneries along the way. If walking is not your cup of tea, there are shuttle buses plying the route for £1 (Php 65). We opted to walk, stopped when we felt like it and explored at our own pace. The stones are piled up so perfectly they look like the work of a skilled mason. Do not miss The Camel which is said to be Finn’s ride across long distances. We spent two hours walking on columns and exploring the gorgeous Northern Ireland coastal waters. The Giant’s Causeway is listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. We've been wanting to see it and it did not fail to impress us. The chance to walk, climb and get up close the basalt columns makes the experience even worthwhile. It's mind-boggling how these geological formations came into existence. Yet undoubtedly, there is magic in the causeway. A breath-taking masterpiece of nature! Get 10% back from your Hotel Booking when clicking this button -> Top Tips:
In The Press Published in Roots & Wings Magazine (Stockholm, Sweden) Autumn 2017 Issue, Pages 20 to 25 http://www.rawmags.com/single-post/2017/10/11/The-Autumn-2017-Issue Published in Travel Plus Magazine (Manila, Philippines)
Issue 1 (Year 2018), Volume 9 Series 1 https://www.facebook.com/travelplusmagazine/ |
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About MeI am a software engineer based in Ireland; a qualified accountant who made a 360-degree career shift to Information Technology during the Y2K era. Joey (my husband) and I have big appetites for travelling, learning new cultures, and a passion for experiencing varied cuisines. Follow us as we chronicle life's little perks! |