Giants Causeway

Giant’s Causeway: 40,000 Basalt Columns and One Good Legend

The reason the Giant’s Causeway basalt columns are mostly hexagonal rather than some other shape is that hexagons are the most efficient geometry for dividing a flat surface without gaps. When the lava cooled and contracted 60 million years ago, the cracking followed lines of equal stress across the surface, and equal stress lines in a uniform material naturally produce hexagons. This is the same geometry found in honeycomb and in the compound eyes of certain insects: not because evolution copied geology, but because both are working toward the same mathematical optimum. The Causeway is an incidental demonstration of one of nature’s fundamental patterns.

The Giant’s Causeway on the north Antrim coast of Northern Ireland has approximately 40,000 of these interlocking columns.

The legend, which is more entertaining and widely believed in the 17th century, is that the giant Finn McCool built the causeway to reach his Scottish rival Benandonner across the water. Finn fell asleep mid-project; Benandonner crossed and found Finn apparently enormous (his wife had dressed him as a baby). Benandonner fled, destroying the causeway behind him. The formation of Fingal’s Cave in Scotland, made of identical basalt columns, is explained by the same legend as the Scottish end of Finn’s road.

The Visit

The National Trust manages the site; entry to the Visitor Centre costs £15 (adults), £7.50 (children). The columns themselves are free to walk on, which is arguably the more interesting part of the decision: the Visitor Centre is well-done but not obligatory.

From the Visitor Centre, it’s a 15-minute walk down to the main formation. The columns at the water’s edge can be climbed and walked across; this is permitted and is how the site has always been used. The Organ (a series of columns resembling pipe organ pipes, up to 12 metres tall), the Giant’s Boot (a column formation shaped like a large shoe), and the Wishing Chair (a natural stone chair) are the named formations that have attracted visitors since the 18th century when the Causeway became the first stop on what was called the “Irish Tour” for wealthy British travellers.

The Amphitheatre, a curved bay of columns visible from the upper cliff path, provides the full-scale view that photographs reproduce. The cliff path loop back from the columns to the Visitor Centre is 2km and takes 40-50 minutes; this route is better than simply reversing the main path.

When to Go

The Causeway is more impressive in moody weather than in bright sunshine: the black basalt contrasts with grey sea in a way that photographs reasonably and feels genuinely remote. In July and August, the main formation area is crowded enough to make the geological interest secondary. October and November are significantly emptier and the light on the columns at low sun angles is excellent.

Getting There

The site is on Causeway Head Road, 2km from the town of Bushmills (known primarily for its whiskey distillery, which offers tastings at £15 per person and is worth pairing with the Causeway). From Belfast, the drive takes about 80 minutes. National Express coaches run from Belfast Europa Bus Centre daily.

The Causeway Coastal Route

The B9 road following the Antrim coast from Belfast to the Causeway is 80km of cliffs, sea views, and stops including Carrickfergus Castle, Glenariff Gorge, Cushendun, the Rope Bridge at Carrick-a-Rede (not the most important bridge in Northern Ireland but certainly the most photogenic), and Dunluce Castle on a cliff edge above the sea. A full day drive makes a coherent circular route back to Belfast via the interior.