The history of Giant's Causeway begins with its formation. Geologically, Giant's Causeway has been a fascinating and important site and geologists have shown that it was formed approximately 50-60 million years ago as a result of volcanic activity. It is made up of 40,000 black basalt columns, running along the edge of the Antrim Plateau in Northern Ireland.
There is, however, an alternative story of the formation of Giant's Causeway.
Giant's Causeway and the Legend of Finn McCool
According to local legend, Giant's Causeway was the product of fighting between two warrior giants; the Irish Finn McCool and Fingal of Scotland. After being ridiculed by Fingal, Finn challenged the Scottish giant by throwing rocks at him over the sea. Fingal retaliated by throwing rock back to Finn and warned him that if he ever got hold of him, he would end his fighting career. As Fingal could not swim over to Ireland, Finn tore out rocks from the ground and pushed them into the sea bed to make a causeway to Scotland. Now, Fingal had no excuse but to come over.
Finn McCool Forms A Plan
Finn was tired from builing the causeway and worried that he would not be at peak strength for the fight with Fingal. So he bought himself some time by dressing up as a baby and making himself a huge cot to lie in.
Fingal Arrives From Scotland
When Fingal arrived at the house, Finn's wife told him that Finn was out but would be back soon. She gave him tea and cakes filled with stones on which Fingal broke some of his teeth. When he saw the baby in the cot, Fingal became anxious, he wondered how big Finn must be to produce a child so large. Fingal put his finger into the cot where baby Finn lay sleeping. Suddenly, the baby bit off half of his finger and anxiety overwhelmed Fingal.
The Formation of Giant's Causeway
Fingal left the house and ran back to Scotland as fast as he could. He vowed never to retun to Ireland and so he tore up much of the causeway on his way home, leaving the only remnants at Antrim.
The History of the Legend
The legend of Finn McCool first emerged in the 18th century. There are variations to the story and also the name given to the Scottish giant, sometimes he is Fingal and, at other times, Bebandonner. The legend became instantly popular around Ireland and quickly spread around the world, aided by the success of the Ossian epics by J. MacPherson.
How The Giant's Causeway Was Formed
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