Northern Ireland is served by flights into Belfast International Airport, George Best Belfast City Airport and City of Derry Airport. Scheduled air services operate from nearly all major UK airports. There are many direct flights from major European cities. Major airlines operate scheduled services from the US and Canada to Belfast International Airport via UK and Republic of Ireland airports
Flanked by the North Atlantic Ocean and a landscape of dramatic cliffs, for centuries the Giant’s Causeway has captured the imagination of countless visitors from across all continents. An area of about 40,000 interlocking basalt columns, the result of an ancient volcanic eruption, it is located in County Antrim on the north coast of Northern Ireland, about three miles northeast of the town of Bushmills. Having marvelled at the majesty and mystery of the world-famous the Giant’s Causeway, it is truly one of Europe’s most magnificent coastlines. The rocks have stood as a natural rampart against the unbridled ferocity of the Atlantic storms, for millions of years. The rugged symmetry of the columns never fails to intrigue and inspire our visitors. To stroll on the Giants Causeway is to voyage back in time.
Around 60 million years ago, Antrim was subject to intense volcanic activity, when highly fluid molten basalt intruded through chalk beds to form an extensive lava plateau. As the lava cooled the horizontal contraction fractured in a way to drying mud, with the cracks propagating down as the mass cooled, leaving pillarlike structures, which are also fractured horizontally into “biscuits”.
As you unlock the mystery and stories of the landscape, your imagination will travel along stepping stones that lead to either the creative turbulence of a bygone volcanic age or into the mists and legends of the past.
Legend has it that once upon a time there was an Irish giant called Finn McCool, also known as Fionn Mac Cumhaill, who got himself into a spot of trouble with an angry Scottish giant called Benandonner who made a claim for Finn’s island of Ireland. Enraged, Finn started throwing boulders into the sea just off the Antrim coastline in Northern Ireland. Inspired by way they fell into the water, Finn decided to use his boulders to make a bridge – or a causeway – all the way to Scotland to challenge his rival to a duel. In a mythical world where size dictates winners and losers, Finn realised he has underestimated his enemy – Benandonner is giant even for a giant! Brute force won’t work on him – so Finn quickly returns to Ireland via his causeway and decides the best way to beat Benandonner is to con him.
Leaving the Giant’s Causeway for Benandonner to find, Finn McCool’s wife disguises him as a baby. When his rival Benandonner arrived, he found Finn’s wife tending her enormous baby giant. Realising that if Finn’s child son was this big, Finn himself must be huge! Benandonnar hurried away, tearing away bits of the causeway as he retreated to the Highlands, determined to leave Ireland and stay away from the giant Finn McCool, who regained undisputed control over Ireland once more. Thus, the Giant’s Causeway was born. In 1986 the World Heritage Conventions has added the Causeway to its coveted list of sites, which are of exceptional interest and universal value.
Giant’s Causeway: Six must-see sights
No trip to the Giant’s Causeway would be complete without experiencing these top six must-sees. Make sure you tick them off your list when you visit the Giant’s Causeway.
1. Grand Causeway
The Grand Causeway is the largest of three rock outcrops which make up the Giant’s Causeway. These collections of curious columns contributed to the causeway being designated Northern Ireland's only World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1986.
2. Visitor Centre
The Giant's Causeway Visitor Centre was the result of an international architecture competition. The building has won many prestigious awards for design innovation and sustainability.
3. Giant’s Boot
In Port Noffer you'll find a small path leading towards the sea. This takes you to what is perhaps the bay's most famous feature - the Giant's Boot. Apparently lost by Finn as he fled from the wrath of Scottish giant, Benandonner, the boot is reputed to be a size 93.5!
4. Wishing Chair
An essential stop on any visit to the causeway, the Wishing Chair is a natural throne formed from a perfectly arranged set of columns. It has been sat on so often, the basalt stones are shiny, smooth and very comfortable!
5. The Camel
Portnaboe's most famous resident is Finn McCool's camel. Once a living and lively beast, the camel was turned to stone and forlornly lies along the bottom of the cliffs. Apparently he was the only steed capable of carrying Finn home across long distances