The Giant’s Causeway

While spending this week in Northern Ireland for a family wedding, a visit to the Giant’s Causeway has proven to be a very popular day out.

Geologists will tell you that this vast stetch of coastline was formed 60 million years ago, when the shifting of the Earth’s tectonic plates unleashed molten rock and lava that, over time, has been shaped by rivers and glaciers into the unique honeycomb-patterned, hexagonal basalt columns that we see today.

However, as Irish people will tell you, the real explanation is that the rocks were scattered here by local giant, Finn McCool, as a walkway over to Scotland where he had challenged a neighbouring giant to a fight. The story goes that, on seeing that his opponent was even more gigantic than him, Finn fled back home, ripping up the causeway as he went, leaving just the end of it that we can see today.

Whether it is the science or the Celtic folklore that you find persuasive, you can’t fail to be impressed by your visit.

Designated a UNESCO World heritage Site in 1986, it is now a popular destination for visitors from all over the world. The basalt columns make natural stepping stones, and it is fun clambering over them to reach as close as you dare to those breaking waves rolling in from the Atlantic.

The views out to the Ocean, and east and west along the Antrim coast are spectacular.

All that fresh air and activity had given us a Giant-sized appetite, so back at our guest house I rustled up this snack, that I have no doubt even Finn McCool would appreciate. It is a Soda Farl, split in two, toasted and filled with rashers of bacon, fried egg, cherry tomatoes and slices of avocado. I made 6 of these – one for each of our party – and they were wolfed down. Luckily I was able to take this photo of one of them before it disappeared!

Another great Northern Irish track to add to the ADK Playlist – this time we travel along the North Down coast to Bangor, home of Snow Patrol’s Gary Lightbody. Here they are with You’re All I Have.