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Sunset over basalt columns at Giants Causeway known as UNESCO world heritage site in North Antrim, Northern Ireland.


There are many things on earth and life that science is not yet able to explain. Before some of these elements could be explained by science, myths and stories were the ways people made sense of these unusual parts of nature. An example is the Giant’s Cause in Northern Ireland.

This coastal structure is unusual but completely natural. It was so inexplicable to humans centuries ago that they created a story that revolved around the giants.

Want to learn more about the myth and truth of the Giant’s Causeway in Northern Ireland? Keep reading below.


What is the Giant’s Caused?

The Giant’s Causeway is a series of natural columns found along the coast of Northern Ireland. There are about 40,000 basalt columns. Most of these columns are hexagonal, with six sides. However, there are also some with four, five, seven, or eight sides.

Some columns are not at all high, they are part of the normal terrain on which you walk. Others are closer to 39 feet tall.

In 1986, UNESCO declared the Giant’s Cause of the World Heritage Site. Then, in 1987, Northern Ireland declared it a national nature reserve. According to a survey, the Giant’s Causeway is considered the fourth largest natural wonder in the entire UK.

The Giant’s Causeway and the surrounding Causeway Coast have been a tourist attraction for over 300 years. They are also popular among scientists, as these unique basalt forms and rock walls help to clarify the history of the earth and some of the most important geological events throughout history.

It’s not just the columns in the area that are important. The cliffs, coasts, marshes and grasslands are all important from an environmental point of view. They are home to many species of animals that are important and endangered.



Who owns the Giant’s Causeway?

As it is such an important territory for Northern Ireland, most are managed by the National Trust. It is one of the most popular destinations in the country for tourists, with about a million visitors a year. The best part is that it is relatively cheap to visit. For members of the National Trust, the visit is free. For tourists it costs between 17 and 20 dollars.

The parts of the causeway that are not owned and operated by the National Trust are dismembered and owned by several private landowners, as well as the Crown estate.

Why is it called the Giant's Caused?

The name was born because of the stories that have to do with these impressive columns. It was thought that because of the size, a giant had built them.

The Irish giant, known as Fionn mac Cumhaill, was said to have been challenged in a fight by Scottish giant Benandonner. The Fionn built the causeway so they could meet.

This is a version of the story, but there are a few more. In one, Fionn defeats Benandonner. In another, he hides when he realizes how great his opponent is. He pretends to be a child, hidden in a crib by his wife. When Benandonner sees the “child” and realizes how great his father should be, he flees from Northern Ireland. When he escaped, he destroyed part of the causeway so that Fionn could not follow him.

These myths appear because the Scottish island of Staffa has similar columns. I'm in the Fingal Cave, across the sea. The columns are not perfectly identical, but they are incredibly similar. They are also probably from the same series of volcanic eruptions.



How did the Causeway form?

The Giant's Caused was formed about 60 million years ago. This area of Northern Ireland has experienced extreme volcanic activity. During that time, magma and liquid basalt passed through parts of the chalk beds.

Then, when the basalt cooled, the contraction occurred and cracks formed. The different sizes of the columns are due to the different cooling times of each column.



Where is he?

The Giant's Causeway is in Ireland. Specifically, it is in Antrim County. This is on the northern coast of Northern Ireland. It is located about three miles northeast of Bushmills and 25 miles northeast of Londonderry.

The basalt road is located between Causeway Head and Benbane Head.