Giants' Causeway Overview
Situated on the northern coast of Ireland, the Giant's Causeway is a unique geological feature consisting of a protrusion of basalt hexagonal columns jutting into the sea. The Causeway was formed an estimated 62-65 million years ago by the cooling of volcanic rock. According to local legend, the Causeway was built by two feuding giants, Finn MacCool in Ireland and Benandonner in Scotland, who needed to travel across the sea in order to do battle. The site was discovered in 1692 by the Bishop of Derry and attracts many visitors every year to see the estimated 40,000 columns. Antrim's coastline and the local scenery are both spectacular, including Lacada Point and Bengore Head. As well as being an area of outstanding natural beauty, Lacada Point is also famed for being the place where the Girona, a Neapolitan galleass which was part of the Spanish Armada, sank in 1588 killing all 1200 men onboard. The Giant's Causeway was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1986.
Contact Addresses
Giant's Causeway Visitor Center, 44 Causeway Road, Bushmills, County Antrim BT57 8SU, UK
Tel: (028) 2073 1855
Website: www.northantrim.com/giantscauseway.htm
Transportation
Air: Belfast International Airport or Belfast City Airport. Rail: Train: Portrush Station. Road: Bus: Public services.
Tourist Information
Northern Ireland Tourist Board
St Anne's Court, 59 North Street, Belfast BT1 1NB, UK
Tel: (02890) 231 221. Fax: (02890) 240 960. E-mail: info@nitb.com
Website: www.discovernorthernireland.com
Northern Ireland Tourist Board
24 Haymarket, London SW1Y 4DG, UK
Tel: (08701) 555 250 (information) or (020) 7766 9920 (trade and marketing). Fax: (020) 7766 9929.
E-mail: infogb@nitb.com
Location
United Kingdom
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