Giant's Causeway and Derry-Londonderry, Northern Ireland

June 28, 2026

We left Belfast and headed to Derry today.

The limestone cliffs along the Causeway Coastal Route were stunning.

This one reminded me of a turtle.

We stopped briefly at the Magheracross Viewpoint so we could get a better view that from the bus window.

We were even able to see the ruins of Dunluce Castle in the distance from the view point.

Stories of Dunluce Castle include that of the "Falling Kitchen". It is claimed that during a violent storm in 1639, the kitchen of the castle fell into the sea. Others claim it is haunted by a banshee.

The castle has inspired castles in more modern pop culture, including Castle Pyke in Game of Thrones and Cair Paravel in C.S. Lewis' Chronicles of Narnia.

We stopped for a couple of hours to explore the Giant's Causeway.

The Legend: One day the great Irish Giant Finn McCool got into a shouting match with the great Scottish Giant Angus Benandonner. They argued about who was the strongest giant and each boasted they could best each other in a fight if only there was a path from Scotland to Ireland. In a foolish fit of pride and anger, Fin ripped up giant pillars of basalt from the Antrim cliffs and hurled them into the sea, creating a pathway for Benandonner.

However, as the Scottish giant began the trek across the new stepping stones, Finn realized to his dismay that he was really quite a bit bigger than Finn and that he might possibly lose the battle. He went home and confessed his fears to his clever wife, Oonagh. She quickly had him build a giant cradle and dressed him as a baby and then proceeded to bake some bread.

As Benandonner stomped up to Finn's house demanding that he fight with him, Finn hopped into the cradle. Oonagh went to the door and invited Angus Benandonner into the house, explaining that Finn was out at the moment but would be back soon. She explained that she was just about to feed Finn's son his daily bread and offered Angus some as well. However, while the bread she gave to baby Finn was soft and delicious, the bread she gave to Benandonner had been baked with a great stone inside. He cracked his teeth and bellowed in pain while Oonagh exclaimed in surprise that her dear Finn always complained that her bread was too soft. Angus eyed Finn's giant baby happily chewing the bread and then glanced at the giant weapons that Oonach had artfully placed around the house. Hastily, he informed Oonach that he had no more time to wait for Finn, but must return to Scotland for an important engagement.

As he raced back to Scotland, Bernandonner ripped up the causeway that Finn had made so there would no longer be a path between the two countries. What we see today in Northern Ireland, is the last vestiges of Finn's road across the sea.

The Science: Many millions of years ago, lava flowed from the earth into a river valley. As it cooled it shrank and broke apart into hexagonal (six-sided) columns. Over millions of years the ocean waves and wind eroded the rock surrounding the valley, revealing the basalt columns formed by the cooling lava.

After checking in with the visitor center, visitors can either walk or take a shuttle (for a small cost) to the pillars of the Giant's Causeway.

On our visit we discovered that while some of the basalt pillars towered over us, others were small and more like stepping stones.

It was a beautiful area to explore with flowers growing within the crevices of the column and the stunning views of the coastline.

Once we arrived in Derry, we began our city tour before checking into the hotel. Like Belfast, Derry was torn apart by the Troubles. Even its name varied depending on whether you were a Protestant unionist (Londonderry) or a Catholic nationalist (Derry).

This touching xculpture, "Hands Across the Divide" was created in 1992 by Maurice Hannon, a local artist. It was erected in 1992 as a call for peace before the conflict officially ended in 1998. Although the two figures reach out to each other across the trench, their hands do not yet touch. Local lore suggests that once the two communities have been fully integrated, the statues will be moved so the hands finally meet.

The Londonderry Courthouse on Bishop Street displays a stone carving of the British Coat of Arms.

The coat of arms for Derry/Londonderry is shown here. The red cross of St. George represents its ties to England. The golden harp represent Ireland. The skeleton by the castle represents the city's coming back after past historical destructions.

Heritage Tower is the last remainder of the County and City Gaol (Jail) built in the early 19th century. It now houses a World War 1 museum.

Derry is the only Irish city which is still completely walled. The stone walls were originally built between 1613 and 1619 to protect settlers in Derry.

The Bishop's Gate shown here is one of the four original entrances to the city, although it was rebuilt in 1789.

We climbed up the stairs here to walk along the city walls. We passed by some of the 24 restored cannons placed along the wall as reminders of its defensive function. There were amazing views of the city.

We could even see some of the murals from the "People's Gallery" in the Bogside, famous for their depictions of the history of the Troubles and the Republican Nationalists. This one is of the civil rights activist, Bernadette Devlin who was 21 years old when she became the youngest woman elected to British Parliament.

St. Augustine's is more commonly known by the locals as the "wee church on the walls" because it actually sits on the ramparts of the city. It is believed to be located at the site where St. Columba founded a monastery in 546 AD.

When we climbed down from the wall, we passed by the Apprentice Boys Memorial Hall, the headquarters for this Protestant fraternal society. It is also attached to the Siege Museum in remembrance of the 1688 Siege of Derry when 13 young apprentice boys closed the gates to prevent the Jacobite forces of King James II from marching into the city sparking a 105 day siege.

The First Derry Presbyterian Church still retains much of the original 1780s construction.

This plaque on the ground is near the Butcher's Gate, another of the four original gates of Derry.

The Derry Guildhall just outside the city walls is the only historic guild hall still in active civic use today. We weren't able to go inside, but if we return I'd like to see the stained glass which tells the history of Derry.

After the tour, we had some free time to explore Derry/Londonderry. We started by walking across the Peace Bridge, a pedestrian bridge across the River Foyle connecting Waterside (the Protestant Unionist community) with Cityside (the Catholic Nationalist community). The two suspension halves form a "structural handshake" as the two sides come together.

Next we joined the Foyle Maritime Festival wading through the crowds flocking around the rides and international food booths.

This mural of Manannán mac Lir, the Irish sea god, was painted by Dan Leo, an Irish artist from Dublin.

There was also a display of lobster pots and barrels that also emphasized the maritime heritage of Derry.