Giants Causeway Information

Giants Causeway Information

Ireland's only natural World Heritage site, the Giants Causeway is located on the northern coast of County Antrim. It is a large area of interlocking basalt columns, most of which are hexagonal. The columns vary in height providing a dramatic and unusual landscape that forms small hills in places and slopes away beneath the sea to the north. The columns are the result of slowly cooling lava from an ancient volcanic eruption.

The Causeway is the subject of a myth about Finn McCool who is reputed to have built the causeway as stepping stones to Scotland to fight his enemy the Scottish Benandonner.

Weathered formations have created circular structures round a core of basalt which are known locally as "giant's eyes". Some other formations with popular names are the Chimney Stacks, The Harp, The Organ and the Camel's Hump.


Sea birds can be seen off the coast around the Causeway, with species such as fulmar, petrel, cormorant, shag, redshank guillemot and razorbill being frequently observed. Rare and unusual plant species including sea spleenwort, hare's foot trefoil, vernal squill, sea fescue and frog orchid can be found on the cliffs and nearby rock formations.


The Giants Causeway is northern Irelands most popular tourist attraction, it's old visitor centre burnt down in 2000 and a replacement is expected in 2011. The area is suitable for picnics, cliff and country walks, and dogs are welcome on leads.