History Of The Giants Causeway Ireland Tour

In November 1986 the Giant’s Causeway received major recognition when it was included on the World Heritage list making it Ireland’s first World Heritage site. The Causeway meets two of UNESCO’s criteria for this:

(1) It is a prime example of earth’s evolutionary history during the tertiary epoch.

(2) It contains rare and superlative natural phenomena

The site also has outstanding cultural value in that it contains the wreck of the Girona. The Giant’s Causeway is made up of some 40,000 black basalt columns, many of them sticking up out of the sea. The formations that make up the Causeway were created by volcanic activities during the Tertiary Period, some 50-60 million years ago. This area from Portnaboe to Benbane Head was also designated by the Department of the Environment for Northern Ireland, as a National Nature Reserve in recognition of the importance of its geology and of the plant and animal life. One could say perhaps that the Giant’s Causeway is now considered to be the ‘eighth Wonder of the World’ and takes its place alongside sites such as Niagara Falls and the Great Barrier Reef.

History of the Causeway

The Giant's Causeway is Northern Ireland's most famous sight. The Actual Causeway is only part of its attraction. The 6 km of sheer cliffs, rising to over 90 m. and forming a series of bays, are spectacular. The National Trust has provided a coastal path about 8 km. long from the entrance to the Causeway to beyond Dunseverick, near White park Bay. A small bus takes visitors down to the Grand Causeway.

The "discovery" of the Giant's Causeway was announced to the world in 1693 by the presentation of a paper to the Royal Society from Sir Richard Bulkeley, a fellow of Trinity College, Dublin, although the "discoverer" had, in fact, been the Bishop of Derry who had visited the site a year earlier. At the time there was much argument as to whether the Causeway had been created by men with picks and chisels, by nature, or by the efforts of a giant. The issue was not settled until 1771 when a Frenchman, Demarest, announced the origin of the causeway to be the result of volcanic action.

Ever since a Dublin spinster's realistic sketches publicised the Giant's Causeway in 1740 it has been a magnet for visitors to Northern Ireland.

The Causeway's fame has been increased by the discovery - and recovery - at Port na Spaniagh in 1967 and 1968, of the most valuable treasure ever found in a Spanish Armada wreck. The galleass Girona, the biggest ship in the Armada, was wrecked in that jagged gulf in a storm on the night of October 26th, 1588, with only five survivors out of the 1,300 men aboard her. The Girona carried not only her own treasure but also what the Spaniards had been able to save from two other Armada ships wrecked earlier on the west coast of Ireland. Nearly 10,000 objects were brought to shore by a team of Belgian divers led by M. Robert Stenuit of Brussels. The treasure included 400 gold and 750 silver coins; gold jewellery, pendants, rings and cameos containing inset rubies and pearls; eight solid gold chains; silver forks and spoons; the ship's anchor, cannons and cannon balls. The most beautiful and valuable items are now on permanent display in the Ulster Museum, Belfast. The story is narrated on picture-boards at the Causeway.

Europe's first hydro-electric tram, which ran between Portrush and the Giant's Causeway, was officially opened in 1883. It was affectionately referred to as the toast rack because of its quaintly shaped carriages and for many people the leisurely journey around the coast on the tram was the highlight of their holiday.

The main line was closed in 1949 due to financial difficulties but the, link from Bushmills to the Causeway, opened in 1887, was the last section to close, but it was finally abandoned in 1951.

This attraction was heightened, however, in 1986 by the completion of an interpretive Centre which attemts to explain the geological enigma of the Causeway and other mythical legends associated with it. The Centre includes a theatre in which a lively and colourful audio visual programme explains the volcanic origin of the Other facilities in the new building, include a tourist information centre, three souvenir shops and a 90 seat restaurant.

Carrick a rede rope bridge

Carrick -A- Rede Rope Bridge is located on the famous North Antrim Coast road between Ballycastle and Balintoy. It is only nine miles away from the Giants Causeway and around ten miles from Dunluce Castle. Carrick-a-Rede boasts an exhilarating rope bridge experience and a challenge for even those who find heights inviting.

It is only a short 1km ( 0.6 of a country mile) coastal walk along the winding footpath that lead to the Rope Bridge. On the way, there are wonderful vantage points to stop and take in the natural beauty. The geology, flora and fauna have won Carrick-a-Rede recognition as an area of special scientific interest.
Sheep Island View Hostel in nearby ballintoy display a collection of old photographs of people doing stunts on the bridge. A Maximum of eight people is allowed on bridge at any one time. Suitable outdoor clothing and footwear is recommended

History of Carrick A Rede Rope bridge

Local fishermen erected the original bridge at Carrick-a-Rede over the 23m-deep and 20m-wide chasm to check their salmon nets. The original bridge had only a single hand rail, and widely spaced slats. Today visitors are drawn here simply to take the rope bridge challenge!

Although there have been no recorded incidents of anyone being injured during a fall from the bridge, many people have been unable to make the crossing back and have had to be taken off the island by boat. But this was the old bridge. The bridge has been updated and improved upon, and in 2000 The National Trust installed a new caged structure as a further safety measure.

The current rope bridge was opened to the public in March 2008. Designs have varied over the years, and this latest model (engineered in 2004) is considerably safer than earlier versions, but the trepidation and exhilaration experienced by visitors remains the same. Once you reach Carrick Island, the reward is seeing the diverse birdlife and an uninterrupted view across to Rathlin Island and Scotland. There is only one way off the island - back across the swinging bridge! So Don't look down! After your return journey back from the brink you can get refreshed at the tea rooms back at the car park area. But you might have to wait until later in the evening if you want something stronger to drink!