Dublin Daytrip: The Giant’s Causeway

No trip to Ireland would be complete without getting out of the city and experiencing some of the island’s famous countryside. Many travelers who choose the independent route of renting their own car and hitting the road rave about their experiences. The only decision left to make will be which direction to go? West to Galway? Northwest to Sligo and Donegal? Southwest to Kerry and Clare? One famous attraction is located to the north of Dublin, across the border in Northern Ireland. 

The Giant’s Causeway is the most popular tourist attraction in Northern Ireland and was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1986. This natural phenomenon is the result of an ancient volcanic eruption, that left this coastal landscape rich with over 40,000 interlocking basalt columns. While that is a technical description – it is hard to use simpler language to describe this site. Most of the columns are hexagons (six sides) and the uniformity of the columns is incredibly striking.

The location right on the sea and the fact that some of the columns reach 36 feet in height all make this an incredibly popular attraction. The crashing waves only heighten the experience. If at all possible, avoid visiting on the weekends to experience this attraction with fewer crowds. For many visitors, the most fascinating aspect of visiting Giants Causeway is that these rocks have been present for between 50 – 60 million years. This makes them an important part of the history on offer across the island.

Many visitors combine a driving trip to the Giants Causeway with a visit to Belfast. This trip will also allow you to see some of the famous Irish countryside.

Photo Credit: SXC