Featured Destination: Giant's Causeway, Northern Ireland

Legend has it that the causeway was built by an Irish giant named Finn McCool, so that he could challenge his Scottish rival Benandonner to a battle. But when Benandonner appeared over the horizon, Finn McCool was terrified by the size of him, and ran home to his wife, Oonagh who disguised him as a baby, making him curl up in an enormous cradle. When Benandonner arrived, he saw the enormous ‘child’ and was terrified to think how big the father must be. He fled home, tearing up the causeway as he went.

What? The Giant's Causeway is an area of about 40,000 interlocking basalt columns, the result of an ancient volcanic eruption. The Giant’s Causeway is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Northern Ireland with three quarters of a million visitors a year. 

Why? The Giants Causeway was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1986 and a national nature reserve in 1987. Come with us and explore the landscape that has inspired artists and stirred scientific debate for centuries!

When? The sunset in spring and autumn make for beautiful photos, but the Giants Causeway is a great place to visit anytime of the year. Make sure to take a warm jacket as the weather is very unpredictable and will change frequently throughout the day.

How? Expat Explore have two tours that visit Northern Ireland and both have a stop at the Giants Causeway; the Irish Explorer tour and our Best of UK and Ireland tour that also visits England, Wales and Scotland.