On the northeast coast of Ireland, there’s a magical place called the Giant’s Causeway. It’s made up of thousands of big stone columns that look like stepping stones. This amazing spot was created by a volcanic eruption a long time ago and is known as one of the coolest natural wonders in the United Kingdom.
The stones at the Giant’s Causeway are mostly shaped like hexagons, which are like six-sided shapes. Long ago, people made up a fun story about how they got there. The legend says that a giant named Finn McCool built the causeway. Finn was challenged to a fight by another giant from Scotland named Benandonner. To get to Scotland, Finn threw big pieces of the Irish coast into the sea, making a path.
But when Finn saw how huge Benandonner was, he got scared and ran back home, losing a boot on the way. Finn’s clever wife, Oona, dressed him up as a baby and put him in a big cradle. When Benandonner saw the ‘baby,’ he thought Finn’s dad must be gigantic! Scared, Benandonner ran back to Scotland, tearing up the causeway so Finn couldn’t follow. That’s why there are similar stones in Scotland, which are thought to be the other end of the causeway.
While the story of Finn McCool is fun, scientists have a different idea about how the Giant’s Causeway was made. They say it happened 50 to 60 million years ago when hot, melted rock came up through cracks in the ground. When this lava cooled down, it cracked and formed the special shapes we see today.
The Giant’s Causeway has about 40,000 basalt columns, and some are as tall as 39 feet (12 meters). In some places, the cooled lava is as thick as 92 feet (28 meters).
Today, the Giant’s Causeway is a World Heritage Site, which means it’s a very important place for everyone to visit and learn about. People come from all over to see the amazing stones and hear the exciting legend of the giants.
The Giant’s Causeway is a wonderful mix of nature’s power and Irish stories. Whether you love the tale of giants or are amazed by the cool rocks, the Giant’s Causeway is a place you won’t forget!
Shape Hunt: Go on a shape hunt around your home or school to find objects that are shaped like hexagons, just like the stones at the Giant’s Causeway. Draw or take pictures of the hexagonal shapes you find. Can you think of why hexagons might be a strong shape in nature?
Build Your Own Causeway: Using building blocks or clay, try to create your own version of the Giant’s Causeway. Arrange the blocks or mold the clay into hexagonal shapes to form a path. Imagine you are Finn McCool building a path to Scotland. How would you make sure it’s strong enough for giants to walk on?
Story Time: Write your own story about a giant adventure. What if Finn McCool had a friend who helped him? What would their adventure look like? Share your story with your family or classmates and see what exciting ideas they come up with!
