So I promised another post on Northern Ireland — specifically the Giant’s Causeway.
Here you go!
On my second full day in Northern Ireland I decided to go to the Giant’s Causeway.
This is probably THE top site in Northern Ireland.
I was thinking of hitting this site late in the day as the light tends to be nicer toward sunset, according to my wonderful host, Bob, at Whitepark House.
But it was another windy day. I had no idea if the wind was going to get worse or if the wind might bring in some nasty weather.
It was sunny yet again but that wind was cold and fierce just like the day before.
I decided to go. I was leaving the next morning.
And I was not leaving without seeing the Giant’s Causeway.
Taking a look at Giant’s Causeway, Northern Ireland
I bought my £10,50 ticket in the beautiful visitor center.
The center is really quite nice with some great info on the geology of the Causeway.
And there are myths and legends too.
I love that it has the mix of both!
You can take the shuttle bus down the hill to the Giant’s Causeway or you can walk.
You know me — I walked.
And almost got blown over as I rounded a corner toward the sea. The wind was that strong.
This is where I almost got knocked on my ass by the wind as I was walking down to the Causeway
But I persevered and made it to the Causeway.
Now I had some folks give me their impressions of this geological site.
I heard things like, “I was a bit underwhelmed by it.”
Or I heard, “Oh, you have to see it. It’s really cool!”
However I try to push these opinions out of my mind so I can form my own.
Getting my first look at the Giant’s Causeway, Northern Ireland.
And at first I was a bit underwhelmed.
It just didn’t seem as big as I thought it would be.
But then I walked around on it a bit.
The Giant’s Causeway surrounded by the crazy Atlantic Ocean (it was windy!) in Northern Ireland.
Looking out to the Giant’s Causeway and the Atlantic Ocean, Northern Ireland. You really need to walk on it to truly appreciate it…
I looked at it.
I studied it.
Naturally I photographed it.
I read a bit about it too, before I visited.
The fact that these volcanic interlocking basalt columns don’t just happen anywhere is what makes the Giant’s Causeway so special.
And this is what I reminded myself of as I walked on it.
So I appreciated the geology of it and thought, “Wow! This is pretty cool.”
Walking on the Causeway — very cool!
Some folks walking on part of the Giant’s Causeway in Northern Ireland.
The Giant’s Causeway in Northern Ireland.
The whole “Giant’s” thing is of course an Irish legend that happens to also involve the Scots.
Something about 2 dueling giants and a causeway that they built so they could meet and have their fight.
There are various versions that are fun to hear.
You’ll find them in the visitor’s center. So take some time there to learn more about this geological wonder — the science fact stuff and the fun “myths and legends” stuff.
Looking back at the Giant’s Causeway as I walk on the trail that will begin to go up.
A view of Giant’s Causeway as I walk on the trail.
Walking through the gorse near Giant’s Causeway.
The one thing I truly appreciated about this area was simply the natural beauty.
You can walk up to the cliffs that are above the Causeway. I would have walked more of this had it not been so bloody windy.
But I did walk up and along the cliffs a bit.
There are stunning views with lots of flowers and shrubs around. And of course, there is grazing land with lots of sheep. With better weather I would have spent loads more time there.
I do wish I had gone back at sunset though. I can imagine that the light would be luminous at that time of day on the Giant’s Causeway. Next time!
The gorgeous scenery around Giant’s Causeway, Northern Ireland.
Walking through the gorse near Giant’s Causeway.
Person sitting on cliff taking in the Causeway and the natural scenery.
A bird’s eye view of Giant’s Causeway, Northern Ireland.
View of the cliffs, Atlantic Ocean and coastline, Giant’s Causeway, Northern Ireland.
Walking the trail above Giant’s Causeway — stunning! This is the view to the west of the Causeway.
As I left
I thought about whether this site was “worth it.”
I consider the entrance price and the time — things like that.
And I do think it is worth it.
It’s definitely being protected because it’s not something you see every day. Or that occurs every day.
If you go into visiting the Giant’s Causeway with an open mind and do a little research first, then I think you’ll walk away like I did — with an appreciation of the wonders of nature.
And ultimately that’s what the Causeway is all about — seeing a natural phenomena.
