Northern Ireland’s UNESCO World Heritage Site

The Giant’s Causeway is a unique geological wonder that was formed 60 million years ago and covers 200 acres. It is made up of 40,000 hexagonal-shaped basalt columns that formed after volcanic activity when the lava cooled. Some of these columns stand 80 feet high and line the cliffs as well as disappear into the sea. The myth that the causeway was built by the Irish giant Finn MacCool could also be true! When challenged by the Scottish giant Benandonner to a fight, Finn built the causeway as a bridge to join Ireland to Scotland. After Finn outwitted Benandonner, he fled back to Scotland, destroying the causeway so Finn could not follow. There are more basalt rock columns in Scotland to support this legend. The Giant’s Causeway was granted UNESCO Heritage status in 1986 not only for its geology but also because its cliffs, seashores, marshes, and grasslands are home to some 50 species of birds, as well as more than 200 species of plants.