The giants causeway is an area of about 40,000 interlocking basalt columns, the results of ancient volcanic fissure eruption. It is part of the North Atlantic Igneous province, active during the paleogene period. It is considered to be the 4th greatest natural wonder in the UK. The tops of the columns form steppingstones that lead from the top of the cliffs down into the sea below

Many are hexagonal, but many have 4,5, 7 or eight sides. The tallest is 12 metres and the solidified lava in the cliffs is 28 metres thick in some places.

50-60 millions years ago the area was subject to intense volcanic activity. Highly liquid basalt intruded through chalk beds to form an extensive volcanic plateau. As the liquid cooled, contraction occurred and the horizontal fractures were in a similar fashion of drying mud.. The cracks propogated down into the mass leaving pillar like structures that also fractured horizontally into biscuits. The horizontal fractures resulted in a bottom fact that was convex and the upper was concave, creating ball and socket type joints. The size of the columns were determined by how fast they dried.

We saw many smaller columns on our way to “causeway”. Even the remains of the Dunsverrik Castle, one that Cromwell destroyed in the 1500s, makes for great photos now, but…..no tour….

The whole walk was 3 days long, however the day we went to the cause way was the longest of 3 days with lOTs of ups and downs and to top it off, there was also a marathon going on with many shorter/longer options, so lots of people we had to move off the trail for, which was fun, but clearly made for a much longer day.

There were Others that we had to”steer clear of” as well. LOTS and lots of sheep. You will notice if you expand this photo that this ?ram has devices on both of his ears (like earrings ). My guess was that perhaps this was for locating them, and knowing when one had gotten out of the fence….. onto the cliffs. This photo is a good example of what the day was like.

One of the towns we stayed at was Bushmills, the home town of the famous whiskey Bushmills Irish Whisky. Since 1608……

On this trip I have learned the meaning of the word Shibboleth. Which is a custom, principal or belief that distinguish a class or group. For example if you drink Bushmills Irish whisky, you are likely from Northern Ireland, whereas if you drink Jamison’s Irish whisky, you are likely from the Republic of Ireland or “Ireland”

In preparation for this trip I have read about 30-35 books involving Ireland to better understand the conflict and how Ireland ends up being divided in 1920.

The Island of Ireland comprised 2 parts, the Republic of Ireland (Ireland) is now a sovereign country, whereas Northern Ireland is a part of the UK.

The Island of Ireland has been ruled by Great Britain since the 1300s. Although there have been many conflict over the years to gain independence, it was not until the Irish nationalist party “sinn Fein” declared Ireland a republic in 1919, then in 1920 Britain partitioned the island into separate parliaments, predominately Catholic in the south and Protestant in the north east. The republicans opposed the formula and in 1922 an Irish free state was formed, and almost immediately the north east (Northern Ireland) with drew from the free state and accepted self governance with the UK.

Grossly abbreviated story.

The years that followed were difficult in Northern Ireland, Belfast and Derry. Derry is another Shibboleth, the people of Northern Ireland call it Londonderry, whereas the people of the Republic of Ireland call it Derry ….. for obvious reasons.

I will end here with more of the story to come.

by for now, Janet and Ken