Many of the historical myths and stories of Ireland involve fighting with England, Wales and Scotland. So it is with the legend of the Giant’s Causeway, which folklore says was built by the giant Finn McCool so that he could walk from Northern Ireland to Scotland to do battle with his nemesis. Supposedly, the battle didn’t go so well for Finn McCool; he retreated, tearing up the causeway as he went, except for the portion that exists today.

Scientists have a more geological explanation for the Giant’s Causeway. Their story starts with the lava flows of Paleogene period—the same flows responsible for the cliff faces for which the Irish coast is famous. Usually lava cools from the top down, but in the area around the Giant’s Causeway, the lava cooled from the bottom up, resulting in a cracking pattern that looks like it was man-made. (Though such cooling is rare, evidence of the phenomena can also be found in a few other places, including spots along the California coast).

At Spot Cool Stuff we prefer the first explanation of the Giant’s Causeway, mostly because it involves a character named Finn McCool. How great is that? Regardless of its origin, the Giant’s Causeway is undeniably beautiful. It is amazing that nature could produce such odd hexagonal rock patterns to look so man-made. Best of all, the Causeway sits along a wonderful hiking trail that hugs the northern coast of Northern Ireland and that is dotted with another natural sites, coastal views and, of course, pubs.

Check out the photos, below.

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