Giants Causeway and Belfast City

DURATION: 8 hours

» 0900-1200 Depart Ship and drive along the Antrim Coast to the Giants Causeway stopping for refreshments en route
» 1200-1330  Explore the Giants Causeway with time for refreshments at the coffee shop on site
» 1330-1430 Lunch near the Giants Causeway
» 1430-1600 Return to Belfast by the main road
» 1600-1700 Short City tour of Belfast before returning to the ship

TOUR DESCRIPTION

This tour incorporates a round trip - traveling on the scenic road along the coast which affords lovely views of the North Chanel of the Irish Sea. Comfort Stop en route.

During the tour you will have spectacular views along the Antrim coast road en route or on the return from the Giants Causeway which is ranked as one of the Wonders of the World.
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The Giant’s Causeway is composed of thousands of strangely symmetrical basalt columns which jut out to sea between Port Ganny and Port Noffer. The waves have cut this low promontory into three distinct parts called respectively the Grand, Middle and Little Causeways. Legend has it that the whole Causeway was built by the Irish giant, Finn MacCool, so as to travel dry-shod across the sea to Scotland.

Certainly similar columns may be seen on the island of Staffa in Fingal’s cave. Generations of guides have embroidered the tale until it is hard to disentangle modern invention from ancient folklore. In fact the Causeway is a product of the volcanic activity, which altered the face of Ireland, Scotland, Iceland and Greenland many millions of years ago.

Taken in this sense the name ‘Giant’s Causeway’ refers only to one spectacular coastal feature, but the whole stretch from Runkerry in the West to Dunseverick in the East goes by the name of ‘the Causeway Headlands’. Those who visit only the columns of the Causeway miss some of the finest coastal scenery in Ireland. The majestic amphitheatres and bay, the bold headlands and high cliffs, with their pinnacles and sea stacks, are the main attraction for many people. This dramatic sweep of coast is lonely and remains unspoiled; yet on foot it is easily accessible.

The tour includes an audiovisual Presentation explaining its formation with the opportunity of walking or taking a mini bus down to the Grand Causeway.

Time for refreshments at the Causeway before returning to Belfast on the main road (1.5 hours)

Belfast is the capital city and the largest city of Northern Ireland and the province of Ulster and after Dublin it is the second largest city on the island of Ireland. Belfast is nestled beside the River Lagan and Belfast Lough clanked by the Castleereagh Hills on the south and the Antrim Hills on the north. Belfast blossomed as a commercial and industrial centre in the 18th, 19th and 20th Centuries, and thanks to its thriving linen, rope-making, tobacco and shipbuilding industries, became the most industrialized city in Ireland

The city revolves around centrally located Donegall Square, which holds the City Hall and from which all roads radiate. Donegall Place, which extends northward from the square, leads to the Royal Avenue, a prime shopping district. Bedford Street, which extends southward from the square, becomes Dublin Road, which in turn, leads to the Queens’ University area.

Depending on the time and traffic as to how much of the city you will have time to view.