Lockdown Walks Down Memory Lane: Giant’s Causeway, Northern Ireland, UK
Oh, hi there — fancy meeting you here! How did you know I’d pop over to Ireland for my first lockdown 3.0 walk? Did the shoes give it away? Which shoes you ask? The ones on my homepage banner, silly.
I figured what best place to start our walks down memory lane than finally revealing what offered the beautiful natural pattern in that picture, an ancient natural phenomenon which I hope will leave you in awe as well, and should definitely be added to your future travel list if you haven’t been there yet.
I know, dangerous business raising your expectations rather high with such claims, but I think you won’t be disappointed, cause today, we’re going to follow in the footsteps of giants, the footsteps of Ireland’s Finn McCool and Scotland’s Angus Benandonner to be precise. Okay, slight disappointment maybe, they are no longer around — sorry ladies, no tall men on the agenda today. But they left behind a rather impressive sight that might still get your head spinning. Shall we have a closer look? Let’s go:
Welcome to the Irish county Antrim and its beautiful Northern coast...
...the home of the Giant's Causeway, designated World Heritage Site since 1986 -- a good year some might say 🙂
The views are glorious even before reaching the main sight which is anything but a stone's throw away...
...but that's what we're here for, so let's get walking -- I'll tell you about Finn on the way.
As we make our way over, make sure to have a look around as there are clues about Finn's existence all over the place...
...such as Finn's camel currently having a little rest.
I'm sure we all agree that good ole Humphrey deserves a little snooze having to carry around a giant, no? Can you see him in the distance?
There are quite a few of those markers along the way, so keep your eyes peeled -- for the markers as well as smoke coming from the chimneys indicating if Finn's at home.
As I said, no luck today, ladies, I'm sorry.
But we are getting closer to the main sight which is given away by the many tiny humans in the distance -- no matter what time of the day you go, there will always be visitors. If more flexible next time, try going early in the morning or late in the evening to avoid the masses.
Let's join in though and check out these infamous rocks which our buddy Finn McCool, also known as Fionn mac Cumhaill, put in place when he heard about the Scottish giant Angus Benandonner threatening Ireland.
Enraged, Finn grabbed chunks of the Antrim coast, threw them into the sea building a path to Scotland in order to challenge Benandonner.
Why is the pathway broken nowadays you might wonder?
Well, when Finn reached Scotland to teach Benandonner a lesson, he had to find out that the Scottish giant was terrifyingly massive, twice his size if not bigger. Finn turned on his heel and frantically ran back home where he told his wife Oonagh all about it unsure what to do.
Now having a path to cross over, Benandonner chased Finn to his home where Oonagh opened the door and told him that Finn was not in. Benandonner did not believe her as he heard noise coming from one of the rooms.
Following his suspicion, he opened the door to find a crying baby in a giant cradle asking for Oonagh's attention.
Shocked by the size of the baby, the angry Scot was no longer keen on meeting the father. He ran back to his country and destroyed the Causeway while doing so.
So, thanks to Finn, we now can visit this fascinating stone arrangement. But kudos to his clever wife, he was still around to tell the tale. -- You might have guessed it, Oonagh outwitted Benandonner by putting her husband in a giant cradle, ...and the rest was history.
You can make of the story what you like but the rock formations are definitely incredible. The size of such basalt columns, their near-perfect hexagon shape, and the way they are stacked next to each other like puzzle pieces, does boggle the mind.
But besides their mindboggling beauty and mythical potential, those interlocking basalt columns, over 40,000 of them, are a result of an ancient volcanic fissure eruption.
Formed 50-60 million years ago from successive flows of lava inching toward the coast and cooling when they contacted the sea, no wonder this place is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and attracts visitors from all over the world.
Let's break free from the crowds a bit though and continue our socially distanced walk. Another quick look at the Causeway after passing through the Giant's Gate...
...before making our way over to the Giant's Organ, and no, I'm not being gory now. Remember, the fight never happened, but some victory tunes might have still been played?! We have to walk a bit further for that though. Come along!
Here another Finn memento along the way -- can you spot the giant's boot? Finn must have lost it as he fled from Benandonnar. Some say it's a size 93.5, just over 2 metres, perfect stop for us socially distanced walkers.
Staying a giant's step apart, let's have a look at the map which offers four different trails. We started along the blue one making our way to the causeway and are now entering the difficult bit -- don't you worry, it's not that difficult. At least not until I'll make you walk up the Shepherd's Steps. What? You want to turn around already? It's only 162 of them, we'll be fine! Let's keep moving and worry about it once we get there.
Tiny humans ahead again -- you know what that means?
We reached the Giant's Organ, another impressive sight, whereby a quick lock up does not necessarily make you want to linger around for too long.
On we go. As we do, make sure to look back once in a while to keep admiring the Causeway as it gradually disappears in the sea.
Looking ahead, one has to admire the juicy green canyon wall sloping into the volcanic rock formations.
Beautiful but yet dangerous -- sorry guys, I'm afraid we reached the end of this path. Looking at the time, we might be halfway through our daily allowance anyways?!
So, one last peak and back we go!
Which means, it's time! Those dreaded steps are awaiting us. Let's take the left fork and get that heart pumping. Let's live a little before having to return to our lockdown couch.
Quick stop for a picture — no, I’m not out of breath at all, are you? Just a good angle I thought 🙂
Made it! Not that bad, ey?! From here, it's going to be an easy stroll along the cliff path, the red one if you recall.
Oops, wrong direction it seems?! Look at that beast of a trail you just tackled though. Well done, guys! As we got up faster than expected, I thought I give you a little taste of the yellow route as well. The challenging one if you do have more time on your hands next time around.
As you probably know by now, I can't resist a challenge and are very much driven by curiosity, so here the end of the path we were not allowed to continue on to...
...along with another natural viewpoint which is calling for us -- shall we dare?
Look at that, more mini organs, the musical kind.
And what a view, take it all in...
...cause I'm afraid it is time now -- some of the sensible ones that stayed behind are waiting already.
I think those guys are ready for us to leave as well -- till next time, my moo-dy friends!
Home we go and well, there's one thing I might have held back when walking for about a mile to reach the Causeway.
There is a dedicated Ulster Bus route from the top of the hill to the bottom which we could have taken at the cost of £1 each way.
But as we wanted to do some walking, I did not want to tempt you...
...and risk for you to miss out on those lovely views -- you're welcome! 🙂
Also, I wanted us to work up a little appetite. We might not be able to pop into the Causeway Hotel for a carvery...
...but here something else those Irish are terribly good at. Fancy some mouth-watering crisps? They come in flavours I have not had before...
...and with Spud Nav, how neat is that? Thanks Eric for cooking up today's treat. I hope you guys enjoy it as much as I did -- the tatoes as well as the walk!
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Fancy more mythical stories involving giants, rocks and other things? Head over to my Isle of Skye travel story while I figure out where we can go on our next lockdown walk. Hope to see you there! 🥾🎒🙋♀️
Fashionable Bonus
Apparently, the giant’s boot got competition that day as it was yet another trip when I was asked about my slightly weathered travel companions. We have covered quite some ground together, wherefore I’m not too upset when asked more often where they are from rather than my humble self — no wonder they ended up on my homepage banner. So, for the ones that are curious about those photogenic turquoise trainers as well, here what you’re looking for.
Old meets new — a shoe that weathers with you…
My favourite thing about them: No laces — which apparently baffles quite a few people. Not sure how many times I’ve also been asked how it works, how they stick to my feet? I usually say it’s magic but you might have guessed it, there’s an elastic band under the tongue. Just like the Causeway, a less entertaining explanation I assume, so let’s stick with magic, shall we?
They are currently unavailable I think, possibly because I already worked through multiple pairs, my apologies, but they do come in other colours as well — a friend of mine is sporting some blue ones these days. So yea, I hope you find some you like and maybe you can share a picture if you do end up getting your own? If you make it to the Causeway, I might even change my banner, who knows.
No matter what shoes you are wearing though, do send me some pictures if you end up going and let me know what you thought, just comment below or find me on social media.
When was I there? Today, obviously 😉 . . . in person on 24 August 2019
4 thought on “Lockdown Walks Down Memory Lane: Giant’s Causeway, Northern Ireland, UK”
I feel like I have just travelled there. Great photos and somehow you have managed to push this trip higher up my bucket list. Please can this lockdown end and things return to some semblance of normality so I can start venturing to more special places like this.
Thanks, Mike. You just made my day. 🙂 Really glad you enjoyed it and do hope you get to check it out in person sooner than later. Until then, stay safe and keep coming back — I’m hoping to get a few more walks posted to get us through those dire times! 🏡🚶♀️🏡
I feel like I have just travelled there. Great photos and somehow you have managed to push this trip higher up my bucket list. Please can this lockdown end and things return to some semblance of normality so I can start venturing to more special places like this.
Thanks, Mike. You just made my day. 🙂 Really glad you enjoyed it and do hope you get to check it out in person sooner than later. Until then, stay safe and keep coming back — I’m hoping to get a few more walks posted to get us through those dire times! 🏡🚶♀️🏡
What a magical place! Thanks for writing about it, it’s definitely on my bucket list now.🤞2021 please deliver!
My pleasure! I hope you’ll enjoy it as much as I did! 🙂