Giant's Causeway

The Giant's Causeway, Northern Ireland.

Short Walk (for a Giant) Between Ireland and Scotland

Have you heard of the Giant’s Causeway? It is located in Northern Ireland in County Antrim. It is an amazing natural wonder to see. A little history, 50 to 60 million years ago there was a lot of volcanic activity. As the molten basalt spread across chalk beds. As the lava cooled, horizontal fractures occurred leaving column structures. But while the science behind this natural phenomenon is very interesting, the Irish folklore behind the Giant’s Causeway is fascinating.

The Irish giant Fionn mac Cumhaill (Finn MacCool) built the causeway so he could fight the Scottish Giant Benandonner.

According to legend the columns are part of a causeway built by the Irish giant Fionn mac Cumhaill (Finn MacCool) because he had been challenged to a fight from the Scottish Giant Benandonner. This causeway was built across the North Channel so they could meet. There are two versions of the story. In the first Fionn beat Benandonner. The second story, which I find a way better story, is that Fionn crossed the causeway and when seeing Benandonner realizes he is much bigger than he is. So he hides. Now where would a giant hide you may ask? Well, Fionns wife Oonagh disguises him as a baby and puts him in a cradle. When Benandonner sees how big the baby is he thinks that Fionn must be a giant among giants and flees back across the North Channel destroying the causeway as he goes so he cannot be chased down.

Across the short stretch of sea at Fingal’s Cave on the Scottish Island of Staffa lies the other end of the causeway.

I loved hearing this story by our tour guide. Now across the sea at Fingal’s Cave on the Scottish Island of Staffa there are identical columns made from the same lava flow. If you visit this natural wonder there is a visitor center with lots of history and you can visit the Causeway free of charge. However, I highly recommend paying for the five mile hike to the Giant’s Causeway. It is a beautiful hike around the cliffs full of natural beauty, sheep and the guide was so knowledgeable. Do you know any other Irish folklore or legends?

Basalt columns

Tracy Hall

Tracy is an owner, a genealogy researcher, and author. She has a bachelor's degree from the University of Illinois and a master's degree from Grand Canyon University. She has done genealogical research in the U.S., England, and Ireland. She has been actively researching family histories for over 20 years. She loves working with clients, breaking down brick walls, seeing the places where hers and your ancestors lived, learning about their jobs and work, and researching immigration and migration patterns. She is the Holder of the Tree in several of her family lines and has been for decades.