The Giant's Causeway

The Giant's Causeway lies at the foot of the basalt cliffs along the sea coast on the edge of the Antrim coast in Northern Ireland. This striking landscape was caused by volcanic activity during the Tertiary, some 50–60 million years ago with the cooling and shrinking - along regular lines of force - of molten lava from a vast volcanic eruption that formed the Antrim plateau.

The causeway is made up of some 40,000 massive black basalt columns sticking out of the sea whose tops form 'stepping stones' leading from the cliff foot and disappearing under the sea. The tallest columns, in the Giant's Organ, are 12m. high. But the solidified lava in the cliffs is at places 24m, thick. Light-coloured patches in the cliffs are the residue of bubbles in the boiling lava. Plant fossils show that the lava erupted over vegetation and that the climate of Ireland was semi-tropical. The dramatic sight has inspired legends of giants striding over the sea to Scotland.

The facilities at the Causeway Centre include Tourist Information offices, Bureau De Change, an Interpretive Audio-Visual Presentation and a Souvenir Shop and Tea Rooms. The Causeway Coaster bus service from the centre to the Causeway provides transport for visitors in poor weather.

Package layout

Day One:

• Evening – Arrive and get settled into your luxury accommodation overlooking the River Derg

Day Two:

• Morning - Have breakfast and set out for the North Coast, taking in some of the most scenic counties in Ireland.


• Afternoon – First you will visit the world famous Giant's Causeway, the seventh wonder of the world. Take a stroll around the beautiful coastline and see if you can find the Giant’s Wishing Chair before you take some pictures of the Giant’s Organ and needle. Return to the Gift Shop for a browse or have a cup of tea/ coffee and a light snack at the Tea Room.
  
  Leaving the Causeway, you can venture across the Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge which connects the mainland with the tiny Carrick Island. Once safely on the other side, you can admire the cliffs and look across the Irish Sea to Scotland, 12 miles away on the horizon. All in all, the picturesque surroundings will provide the perfect setting for some breathtaking shots.
  
  To finish the afternoon, we will take you to the famous, Old Bushmills Distillery where you will get a guided tour around one of the oldest distilleries in the world.


• Evening - Return to West Tyrone for a 3-course evening meal at the Duke of Abercorn's Baronscourt Estate* after which you can return to your accommodation and enjoy a relaxing night in outdoor hot tub or be whisked away for an explosive night out.

Day Three:

• Morning - Exchange experiences the morning after the night before as you have some breakfast then take a step back into history and journey through time to share two centuries of Irish emigration at the Ulster American Folk Park.


• Afternoon - Visit the Marble Arch Caves, one of Europe's finest show caves allowing visitors to explore a fascinating, natural underworld of rivers, waterfalls, winding passages and lofty chambers.


• Evening - Return to your accommodation and spend the evening and the local Baronscourt Hunting Lodge Hotel or relax in our outdoor Hot Tub.

Day Four:

• Morning: Enjoy a relaxing breakfast before returning home after an action packed tour.

(Please note that this package only caters for group bookings of 8 people or more and unfortunately we will not be able to offer the tour to smaller numbers)