Christmas Eve at the Giant's Causeway

We drove out to the Giant's Causeway today. Spectacular sight. Legend tells us the Irish giant Fionn mac Cumhaill was challenged to a fight by the Scottish giant Benandonner. Fionn accepted the challenge and the causeway was built across the North Channel so that the two giants could meet. However when Fionn realised that his foe was much bigger, he came up with a plan with his wife, Oonagh; she disguised him as a baby and tucked him in a cradle. When Benandonner saw the size of the 'baby', he freaked that its father, Fionn, would be a giant among giants and fled back to Scotland in fright, destroying the causeway behind him. The remains of the causeway can be seen on both sides of the sea.
Science reckons that the Causeways are actually caused by ancient molten basalt based lava fields that cracked into the hexagonal shapes when cooling down. Boring!
They really are a wonder though.
We drove around the coast a bit more to see the 'Carrick-a-rede' rope bridge and stopped at a couple of the wee towns, one to have lunch, and then to see one of the many local film locations for Game of Thones. This one called 'The Dark Hedges'.
We finally got to Cookstown this afternoon to see Barry's Dad before heading to Dungannon where we are staying for the next three days. Tomorrow is Christmas Day and we've been invited to share festivities with one of Barry's cousin's whom we've not met yet so that will be fun. We are going to see Oliver again (Barry's Dad) and maybe his Aunty Sheila too.
Merry Christmas!!!!

View from Magheracross - Denluce Castle in the foreground

And the other side

The Giant's Causeway

View of the coast from the Giant's Causeway

Balsalt columns

People have been leaving coins in the cracks for years. They were stuck solid.

Barry on top of the columns

And resting. The steps make comfortable seats.

The view looking out to where the 'Carrick-a-rede' rope bridge links the islands jutting out.

Graveyard in the wee township of Ballintoy, looking out to the ocean

Coastal landscape

Coastal landscape

The Dark Hedges - not so dark in winter when all the leave's have fallen

The Game of Throne's scene filmed in 'The Dark Hedges'