Geology and the scientific explanation:

During the Paleogene period, Antrim was subject to intense volcanic activity, when highly fluid molten basalt intruded through chalk beds to form an extensive lava plateau. As the lava cooled rapidly, contraction occurred. While contraction in the vertical direction reduced the flow thickness (without fracturing), horizontal contraction could only be accommodated by cracking throughout the flow. The extensive fracture network produced the distinctive columns seen today. The basalts were originally part of a great volcanic plateau called the Thulean Plateau which formed during the Paleogene period.

The Irish version of events:

Legend has it that the Irish giant Fionn mac Cumhaill (Finn McCool) built the causeway to walk to Scotland to fight his Scottish counterpart Benandonner. One version of the legend tells that Fionn fell asleep before he got to Scotland. When he did not arrive, the much larger Benandonner crossed the bridge looking for him. To protect Fionn, his wife Oonagh laid a blanket over him so he could pretend that he was actually their baby son. In a variation, Fionn fled after seeing Benandonner's great bulk, and asked his wife to disguise him as the baby. In both versions, when Benandonner saw the size of the 'infant', he assumed the alleged father, Fionn, must be gigantic indeed. Therefore, Benandonner fled home in terror, ripping up the Causeway in case he was followed by Fionn.

Another variation is that Oonagh painted a rock shaped like a steak and gave it to Benandonner, whilst giving the baby (Fionn) a normal steak. When Benandonner saw that the baby was able to eat it so easily, he ran away, tearing up the causeway.

The "causeway" legend corresponds with geological history in as much as there are similar basalt formations (a part of the same ancient lava flow) at the site of Fingal's Cave on the isle of Staffa in Scotland.

Itinerary

- Depart Belfast at approximately 9:00am
- Stop off at Carrickfergus Castle for the oppoirtunity to take some photographs
- Drive on around the coast to Carnlough Village for a comfort stop and photo opprotunity
- Visit the Cushendall/Glenariff/Cushendun villages
- Arrive at the Giants Causeway & take some time to browse through information and gifts at the Visitor centre
- Visit Northern Ireland's famous Bushmills Whiskey Distillery (you can stay at the Giant's Causeway or visit Bushmills village instead)
- Stop at Dunluce Castle for a photo opportunity
- Return to Belfast

The Giants Causeway is only a 90 minute drive from Belfast. Travel is in a luxurious coach which will help make your tour as comfortable as possible.

Hotel Shuttle Bus Complimentary - Call office between 8am + 6pm

Summer: 1st April - 30th September, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday Saturday & Sunday
Winter: 1st October - 31st March, Saturday & Sunday

Tour Info

Daily @ 9am

Excludes: Christmas day, Boxing day, New Years Eve and NewYears day.

Running Time: 9 hours 30 minutes

Tour departs at 9:00am from International Youth Hostel, Donegall Road; 9:10am Belfast Welcome Centre; and 9:15 at Castle Place.

Please be a pick up point 15 minutes prior to departure time.

The Giants Causeway is a 90 minute drive from Belfast.

This is a Combination Tour, combining an Open Top Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour, and a Walking Tour that will introduce to the beginnings of the infamous Titanic. It is your choice which tour you take first, and your ticket will be valid for 7 days upon redemption of the first tour taken.

Let us show you the best of Belfast from an open top bus. The hop on-hop off tour with 19 stops will take you to the Shipyards, Parliament buildings at Stormont, Queens University and the political areas of the Falls Road and Shankill Road.

You can combine the open top tour of the City with the titanic walking tour which will take you back in time to visit all the key sites of Queens Island including the massive Titanic dry dock and pump house where Titanic last rested on dry ground.

The tour includes exclusive access to the pumphouse where you will view a new Titanic movie show. The open top buses depart daily from Castle Place and the Titanic walking tour departs from the Odyssey complex which is stop number 2 on the bus tour at 12.30 daily.

HOP-On HOP-OFF TOUR

Sit back and let the Open Top Bus Tour take you on a journey through one of the fastest changing, fastest growing cities, with the best tasting Guinness and funniest local people!

The tour departs at regular time intervals from Castle Place, right in the middle of Belfast City Centre and will show you how Belfast city was born during a time of industry and engineering; survived famine, disease, bombing raids and of course the recent political troubles. The tour will take you through the city which is now becoming one of the most exciting cities in Europe.

Belfast is now home to a buzzing night scene, world class entertainment at one of our top quality venues, gourmet cuisine and world renowned hospitality.

Belfast's people and indeed the inhabitants of Northern Ireland will not forget recent history though, and any visitor can learn about the political wall murals on the Shankill and Falls Road, the peace line and recent civil unrest through the dedicated and talented local tour guides.

Let the tour guides entertain and educate on a whistle stop tour through 300 tumultuous years of history and introduce you to a city brimming with confidence and optimism.

The tour follows a route that will let you see Belfast City Centre, The infamous Shipyards where Titanic was built, the Titanic Quarter, an ever expanding and soon to be upcoming part of the City, the Odyssey Arena, the historical yet vibrant Cathedral Quarter, the Political Districts, the University District and the Golden Mile/Nightlife area.

Tours departs Monday - Friday from Castle Place
Departs Returns
10.00am 11.30am
10.45 am 12.15pm
11.30am 13.15pm
12.15pm 13.45pm
13.00pm 14.40pm
13.45pm 15.30pm
14.00pm 15.30pm
14.45pm 16.30pm
15.15pm 16.45pm
16.00pm 17.45pm

Tours departs Saturday & Sunday from Castle Place
Departs Returns
10.00am 11.30am
10.30am 12.00pm
11.00am 12.30pm
11.30pm 13.00pm
12.00pm 13.30pm
12.30pm 14.00pm
13.00pm 14.30pm
13.30pm 15.00pm
14.00pm 15.30pm
14.30pm 16.00pm
15.00pm 16.30pm
15.30pm 17.00pm
16.00pm 17.30pm
16.30pm 18.00pm
17:00pm 18.30pm

TITANIC WALKING TOUR

Join us on a Walking Tour of Titanic Island and relive the history of a bygone time when Harland & Wolff was a shipping empire.

This tour is a fully Guided walking tour of Queens island in Belfast where Titanic and her Sister Ships were designed, built and launched. The tour meets outside the Odyssey Arena in Belfast daily @ 12.30pm Monday-Sunday. The walk is just over 1 mile in length.

Please note that the Walking Tour includes:
- Odyssey Centre
- Abercorn Basin
- Hamilton Dock
- Queens Island
- Titanic Quarter
- Engine Works
- Titanic Drawing Offices
- Titanic Slipway
- HMS Caroline
- Alexander Dock
- Science Park
- Thompson Dock & Pump House (includes Full Pump House Tour plus audiovisual)

Please note some tours may be changed or cancelled due to weather.

Tour Info

Hop On Hop Off: Daily
Titanic Walk: Daily :12.30pm

Excludes: 25th, 26th, 31st December, 1st January & Easter Holidays -10th, 12th & 13th April 2009).

Please note this is a 2-part ticket.

During High Season from May-September tour operates from 10.00am until 5.00pm daily leaving from Castle Place, in Belfast City Centre, with a tour departing every 30 mins.

During Low Season from October-April, tour operates from 10am until 4.00pm daily from Castle Place in Belfast City Centre, with a tour departing every 45 minutes.

Running Time: Hop-On, Hop Off Tour; 1 hour 30 minutes. Titanic Walk; 2 hours

TITANIC WALKING TOUR: Client MUST call 48 hours in advance of when they plan to take their tour to confirm their booking.Please call 07904 350339.

Tour Highlights

Wild Scenery

Clifden Town

Kylemore Abbey

Killary Harbour

Leenane Village

Cong Village & Abbey

Salthill & The Claddagh

Led by an experienced and entertaining driver-guide you will be transported into the heart of Irelands last wilderness, the beautiful Connemara region. Taking our time to explain and enjoy the varied landscape that unfolds throughout the day, we make numerous stops, not least at Clifden Town - the capital of Connemara, where we make a welcome coffee stop before calling to Kylemore Abbey - "Irelands most romantic building". Kylemore Abbey, an idyllic getaway for a previous owner is now the monastic home to the Benedictine Order of Nuns in Ireland.

After lunch we travel through some of the most beautiful areas in Ireland as we pass by the natural harbour that is Killary fjord that straddles the Mayo-Galway border and the scenic village of Leenane, famous for its appearance in the Hollywood movie, "The Field".

The Galway Tour Company is the only company that take you from here to the beautiful village of Cong, home to Cong Abbey and the setting for the John Ford movie, "The Quiet Man" in 1952, where we give you time to get acquainted with the local sights before returning to Galway City with memories of a fantastic day in Connemara!

Departs from:

09:45 - Sleepzone Tourist Hostel

09:45 - Salthill Tourist Office

10:00 - Merchants Road

Tour also can pick up from local Galway Hotels & B&Bs.

Tour Info

Daily @ 09:45

Excl. 25 & 26 Dec

Running Time: All Day

Clients MUST call at least 48 hours in advance to reconfirm booking & pick point. Please be at hotel/B&B reception 10 mins. prior to pick up time. If alternative pick up point is required, and/or you have any questions regarding this tour, please call 00 353 (0) 91 566 566.

Tour Highlights

Dunguaire Castle

The Cliffs of Moher

Atlantic Edge

Poulnabrone Dolmen

Kilfenora/High Crosses

This daily tour to the Cliffs of Moher is a great way to see all the sights of the Burren and enjoy a leisurely stop at Irelands most popular tourist attraction - the Cliffs of Moher.

Leaving Galway City daily, your driver-guide will entertain and inform you of the local history and folklore, making plenty of stops along the way. This tour includes photo-stops at Dunguaire Castle in the picturesque village of Kinvara and follows the breathtaking Corkscrew route to the Cliffs of Moher where you can avail of a 2 hour break to visit the 214-metre high, 8kms cliff face, and even visit the state of the art "Atlantic Edge" interpretive centre (entrance not included in tour price).

After lunch the tour moves inland to the limestone region of the Burren and makes another stop at the village of Kilfenora. Kilfenora is famous for its High Crosses located in the 12th century monastery and is the location for the Burren Centre, an exhibition that takes the visitor on a journey through time when this area lay beneath a warm tropical sea (entrance not included in tour price).

From Kilfenora, your driver-guide will take you through the heart of the Burren region, an area home to an extraordinary number of archaeological sites, none more important than the Poulnabrone Dolmen dating back to over 5,800 years!

Having made a short stop at the Dolmen we amble our way slowly back to Galway City and arrive home at approximately 5:30pm.

Departs from:

09:45 - Sleepzone Tourist Hostel

09:45 - Salthill Tourist Office

10:00 - Merchants Road

Tour also can pick up from local Galway Hotels & B&Bs.

Tour Info

Daily @ 09:45

Excl. 25 & 26 Dec

Running Time: All Day

Clients MUST call at least 48hrs in advance to reconfirm booking, pick up point & shuttle bus time. Please be at hotel/B&B reception 10 mins. prior to pick up time. If you have any questions please call 00 353 (0) 91 566 566

Tour Highlights

Windswept Island Scenery

Dun Aonghasa Cliff Fort

Sandy Beaches

A trip to the Aran Islands is an ideal tonic to escape the pressures of modern life. If you are looking for a place to commune with nature, be inspired and find peace to envelop body & soul, look no further.

Whether you wish to bask on sandy beaches, sailboard, or just walk the quiet winding byways, the Aran Islands have it all.

Inishmore, or Inis Mr in Irish, is the largest of the islands and by far the most popular. With a population of approx. 1,000 people spread among 14 villages, it is well served by mini-bus tours, hostels, hotels & restaurants. The main attraction is undoubtedly the cliff fort of Dun Aonghasa, which can just as easily be accessed by renting a bike or walking.

Inismaan, or Inis Mein in Irish, is the middle island and the least visited and therefore the most pristine, Irish can be heard spoken and the lack of tourists in comparison to the other two islands is noticeable. Pubs and people inhabit this island.

Inisheer, or Inis Orr, is the smallest of the three islands coming in at approx. 3.2km by 3.2km, with a population of 300. The closest island to the mainland, it has more recently been made famous when the wreck, "The Plassey" which floundered off its coast appeared in the "Father Ted" television series.

Shuttle Bus departs from Merchants Road approximately 1 hour before sailing.

Return Shuttle Bus to the ferry port of Rossaveal is included in ticket.

Tour also can pick up from local Galway Hotels & B&Bs.

Tour Info

Daily @ 09:45am

Excluding. 25 & 26 Dec

Running Time: All Day

Clients MUST call at least 48hrs in advance to reconfirm booking, pick up point & shuttle bus time. Please be at hotel/B&B reception 10 mins. prior to pick up time. If you have any questions please call 00 353 (0) 91 566 566.

Travel in luxury in an ultra-modern coach around the beautiful Kingdom of Mourne. Famed in song and story the world over, this tour of County Down will leave you breathless. A unique tour takes you on a one day trip around all the major towns and attractions of this spectacular County.

Step off the beach and onto the mountain slopes. This picturesque seaside town is popular with tourists and a must-see destination in Northern Ireland. It lies between the Mourne mountain range and the Irish sea as immortalized by Percy French in his song 'The Mountains of Mourne.' From Newcastle, a short scenic trip brings you across the border to the Republic of Ireland, and to the beautiful scenic seaside town of Carlingford, set at the foot of the beautiful and legend steeped Cooley Mountains

The tour takes in Downpatrick and the Church of Ireland cathedral where Saint Patrick's remains are buried in the graveyard.

The road into Rostrevor is worth the journey alone winds past rivers mountains and trees and into argueably Irelands most beautifully picturesque villages.

Kilkeel is the principle town in the Kingdom of Mourne, a major Irish fishing port - it is the seafood capitol of County Down and is popular with tourists and day trippers.

The Spelga Dam is set in a Mountain Park situated in the high Mournes and features a dam ringed by dramatic Mountain panoramas and the famous Mourne wall.

FAMILY TICKET CONSISTS OF 1 ADULT AND 2 CHILDREN!!!

Tour Info

Nov 08 - 31st Mar 09: Monday,Friday, Saturday & Sunday @ 10:15am

1st Apr 09 - 31st Dec 09: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday Thursday, Friday, Saturday & Sunday @ 10:15 am

CLOSED: 25th, 26th, 31st December, 1st January, 12th April

Running Time: All Day

Clients MUST call at least 48 hours in advance of tour to reconfirm booking & pick point. Tour departs 10.15am from Jury's Hotel, and 10.30am from Belfast Welcome Centre. Please be a pick up point 15 minutes prior to departure time. Please call +44 (0) 28 9024 0300 .

This tour offers you the opportunity to visit of the of the key sites in the history of the construction and launch of the greatest liner ever built in Belfast - Titanic, from the luxury of a VIP configured Mercedes MPV. The tour operates all year round & the price includes collection from any location within the greater Belfast area.

The tour is conducted by Susie Millar, the great-granddaughter of Thomas Millar, who worked in Harland & Wolff on the construction of Titanic & then sailed onboard her as an engineer on the fateful maiden voyage to New York in April 1912. His death at the age of 33 left his two young sons orphaned. Tommy's story has been passed down through three generations of the Millar family. Before he left Belfast on board Titanic, he gave both his sons two new pennies, telling them, Don't spend those until I see you again. His younger son kept those pennies all his life. He passed them on to his son who gave them to Susie. The story has been immortalised in plays, poems and songs.

As part of your journey back through the history o