Giant's Causeway
The strikingly unusual, hexagonal rock formations to be seen at the promontory of the Giant's Causeway, in County Antrim – since 1986 a World Heritage site – are the result of molten basalt cooling rapidly some 60 million years ago. The name derives form the legend that they are stepping stones used by a giant.
Stretch of basalt columns forming a headland on the north coast of Antrim, Northern Ireland. It was formed by an outflow of lava in Tertiary times which has solidified in polygonal columns. The Giant's Causeway and Causeway Coast became a World Heritage Site in 1986.
| According to legend, the causeway was built by the folk hero Finn Mac Cumhaill to enable the giants to cross between Ireland and Scotland. |
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