The Giant’s Causeway (295445), 12 km. E. of Portrush and 15km. W. of Ballycastle, is Northern Ireland’s most famous sight. The Causeway proper 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 Whitepark Bay. A small bus takes visitors down to the Grand Causeway.
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.
This attraction was heightened, however, in 1986 by the completion of an interpretive Centre which attempts 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 Causeway and also suggests that a legendary Irish giant, Finn MacCool undoubtedly had a hand in its creation.
Other facilities in the new building, include a tourist information centre, three souvenir shops and a 90 seat restaurant.
