The Irish theme continues..This is ‘The Giants Causeway’ (Clochán na bhFomhórach) in County Antrim,

The Irish theme continues..This is ‘The Giants Causeway’ (Clochán na bhFomhórach) in County Antrim, Northern Ireland. During the Paleogene period around 50 to 60 million years ago, Northern Ireland was subject to immense volcanic activity. Highly molten basalt intruded onto the surface to form an extensive lava plateau. There was rapid cooling; which caused contraction, cracking and the formation of pillarlike formations of different heights and widths. The estimated 40,000 interlocking basalt columns make an enchanting landscape. What is even more enchanting is the folklore behind this beautiful area. There are many different variations to this story; but I will tell the one I was told as a child. This version has it that Fionn Mac Cumhaill built the causeway to get across to Scotland. There, he raided the livestock of a Scottish giant. The Scottish giant came back over the causeway to seek revenge for the raid and fight Fionn. Fionn’s wife; Úna on seeing him cross the Causeway, and noting the size of the Scottish giant, was so afraid for her husband that she schemed to dress him up in baby clothes to protect him. When the Scottish giant came to the house, he asked the wife where the Fionn was, and the wife told the Scottish giant he was out. Looking around the house, the Scottish giant came across the baby. When he saw the size of the baby, he figured the father must be truly colossal, far too large to fight, and so ran back across the Causeway to Scotland, destroying it behind him, leaving what we see today.There is something uniquely Irish about this story and I think it captures the Irish wit quite brilliantly.It has always been known that people create stories to explain what they do not understand; I think in this instance, it is done quite nicely.I hope you enjoyed it.-JeanImage courtesy of Martin McKennaFor more inforamtion see http://www.giantscausewayofficialguide.com/ -- source link

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