Giant's Causeway

Overview

Rising from the sea, the iconic UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Giant's Causeway is a geological marvel enhanced by mythos.

According to the local legend, Irish giant Fionn Mac Cumhaill (Finn McCool) built a bridge to Scotland so he could face his rival, the Scottish giant Benandonner — there's a mirror formation in Staffa, Scotland to enhance the story — however, he high-tailed it back to Ireland when he saw how massive Benandonner was. When the Scottish giant followed him back, Fionn's wife tricked him into thinking the Fionn was even bigger, and so he fled in terror back to Scotland and ripped up the bridge, leaving behind the 40,000 hexagonal basalt columns.

Although the region's intense volcanic activity might be the more likely explanation, these unique formations capture Northern Ireland's fabled past.

Images: Tourism Ireland