Polly #2 was amazed at all the rocks that make up the Giant's Causeway
Debbie and Polly were very excited to learn that they would be visiting the Giant’s Causeway in Northern Ireland. Debbie had heard of it, but had never had the opportunity to go there. As you can see from the pictures, it couldn’t have been a more perfect day!
It was such a pretty day!
Lots of information about the Causeway
According to the Giant’s Causeway Official Guide: When the news of the “discovery” of an amazing natural phenomenon broke on an unsuspecting world in 1693 it was by the presentation of a paper to the Royal Society from Sir Richard Bulkeley, a fellow of Trinity College, Dublin. The “discoverer” had, in fact, been the then Bishop of Derry a year earlier. The news caused quite a stir in ‘the polite society’ of the time and in 1697 a draughtsman was sent to make drawings of the Natural Curiosity on the North East tip of the island of Ireland.
What seems remarkable to us now, in the 21st century, is that 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. For in the 17th century nothing like it had been seen before. As an artist, Miss Susanna Drury spent, in 1740, quite some period of months on site. Depicting the magnificence that she found, ensured that the Causeway became noted on The Grand Tour. And it was not until 1771 that a Frenchman, Demarest, announced the origin of the Causeway to be the result of volcanic action.
There were way too many rocks to count!
There were many places to sit and rest
I was so tired from hopping, that I took frequent rest stops
Amazing views were all around
You have to be very careful when you walk around here
Do you think there really was a giant in this area?
According to the Balleycastle Free Online, it is called the Giant’s Causeway because of a legend about the quarrel between two giant’s called Finn Mac Cool and Benandonner. Benandonner is said to have built a causeway from Scotland to fight with Finn Mac Cool, Finn Mac Cool pretended to be a baby in a pram and his mother told Benandonner that the baby was Finn Mac Cool’s brother Finn Gal. When Benandonner saw how strong the baby was, he thought that Finn Mac Cool would be stronger than him and he ran back across the sea to Scotland, tearing up the causeway as he went. He left in such a hurry that he his boot came off and it is still here today. As well as the boot there are also shapes of a camel and pipe organs in the walls of the cliffs.
This is called the "boot"
This rock formation is called the "organ". Can you find me in the picture?
We hiked up the hill and got some really pretty pictures
Lots of people were walking from stone to stone...they were at just the right height!
Walking back to the rocks!
The rocks go right into the sea
The people on the rocks look so tiny!
View from the rocks
Debbie (right), and a friend stop to have a picture taken
Back to the shuttle bus for a lift
Tags: Polly 2
August 20th, 2011 at 8:47 am
This looks looks like a beautiful place!
August 20th, 2011 at 2:18 pm
It really was a beautiful place because it was right on the ocean, had the mysterious looking stepping stones, and dramatic views everywhere you looked!
August 27th, 2011 at 11:22 pm
I love folklore and the way things were explained long ago. Thanks for a great story!
December 10th, 2011 at 10:08 am
I think the pictures are sweet. I wish I could live there.
December 10th, 2011 at 8:37 pm
Man, that really looks pretty and the boot actually almost looks like a boot and I found Polly in the organs. She’s down on the little rock in the right hand side.
December 11th, 2011 at 7:27 pm
Good eye! I’m glad you could find her!
December 11th, 2011 at 7:31 pm
It is a very pretty area, and I hope you are able to visit there one day!
February 24th, 2012 at 4:38 pm
your pictures look so great!!!!!!!!
February 24th, 2012 at 7:22 pm
Destiny,
Thank you. It was really amazing to see all the wonderful places in Ireland that I had only read about before!
Polly #2
February 25th, 2012 at 8:50 am
Polly #2 do you have fun traveling?
February 25th, 2012 at 10:01 am
Dear Destiny,
I have lots of fun traveling because there is always something new and different to see, even if it’s in my own backyard!
Polly #2
February 25th, 2012 at 1:58 pm
Polly #2 what do you do in your backyard. Do you have something new to see?
February 25th, 2012 at 2:14 pm
do you see new things in your backyard!
February 25th, 2012 at 4:45 pm
Destiny,
I like to hop around and visit with all the animals that come into my yard, especially the deer!
Polly #2
February 25th, 2012 at 7:04 pm
What is the deet?
February 25th, 2012 at 11:07 pm
There’s always something new to see in my backyard. It’s always an adventure!
Polly #2
February 25th, 2012 at 11:16 pm
Laura and Destiny,
Oops, I made a mistake…I meant deer. Thank you for catching my typing mistake.
Love,
Polly #2
March 2nd, 2012 at 6:34 pm
Your welcome Polly #2
November 11th, 2013 at 6:08 pm
Polly I miss you so much :'(