Giant's Causeway and Causeway Coast World Heritage Site

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The Giants Causeway is Northern Ireland's only world heritage site and one of only three in Ireland. The site is within the Moyle District Council area approximately 3km from the village of Bushmills. It lies within an area of spectacular dynamic coastal landscape of atlantic waves rugged cliffs secluded bays and magnificent views. It has an unparalleled display of geological formations such as the interlocking basalt columns which represent the volcanic activity in the area from 50-60 million years ago. The site was designated as a world heritage site by UNESCO IN 1986. The Site was inscribed under natural criteria (i) and (ii) and justified as follows:

Giant's Causeway

'The geological activity of the tertiary era is clearly illustrated by the succession of lava flows and interbasaltic beds which are in evidence on the Causeway Coast. Interpretation of the succession has allowed a detailed analysis of tertiary events in the North Atlantic. The extremely regular columnar jointing of the theoliitic basalts is a spectacular feature which is displayed in exemplary fashion at the Giant's Causeway. The Causeway itself is a unique formation and a superlative horizontal section through columnar basalt lavas.'

'The cliff exposures of columnar and massive basalt at the edge of the Antrim plateau represent a spectacle of exceptional natural beauty. The extent of visible rock sections and the quality of the exposed columns in the cliffs and on the Causeway combine to present an array of features of features of considerable significance'

Management

There are currently six landowners at the site including the National Trust, Moyle District Council, three private landowners and the Crown Estate. Operation guidelines issued by the World Heritage Committee strongly recommend that all world heritage sites should have management plans in place. NIEA have recently commissioned consultants to prepare a World Heritage Management plan. A draft Management Plan has been prepared by Chris Blandford Associates in discussion with and on behalf of a steering group comprised of the following bodies:

  • DoE - Northern Ireland Environment Agency
  • National Trust
  • Moyle District Council
  • Department of Entreprise, Trade and Investment
  • Causeway Coast and Glens Heritage Trust
  • Northern Ireland Tourist Board
  • Council for Nature Conservation and the Countryside
  • Geo-Conservation Commission

A final draft Management Plan has now been prepared and submitted to UNESCO in January 2005. The draft Management Plan can be downloaded on EHS website.

Geology and geomorphology

These are considered to be the most significant aspects of the site. The site is famous for its spectacular columnar basalt structures and magnificent cliffs which demonstrate the geological succession of the tertiary period in cross sections of outstanding clarity.

Scientific Study

The site has played and continues to play an important role in the development of scientific ideas concerning the nature and operation of key geological processes associated with basalt terrains. It has contributed to the understanding of geological processes since 1693 and has had international significance.

Landscape

The basaltic columns of the Grand Causeway form one of the most distinctive and widely recognised landscapes within the British Isles however the wider landscape within which the Causeway stones are located is also a spectacular example of coastal scenery contributing to the universal value of the site.

Ecology

Stonechat

The ecology of the site is of international interest containing a wide range of habitats and protected species. This ecology has been recognised as being of national significance through its designation as an Area of Special Scientific Interest (ASSI) and a National Nature Reserve (NNR). The site is also contained within an area of the North Antrim Coast proposed as a candidate Special Area of Conservation(cSAC). This designation recognises the coast's European importance as a site of biological conservation interest.

Cultural Heritage and Intangible values

The site has importance for its central role in the development of 18th Century geological controversies on the origin of basalt and the 19th and 20th century development of tourism in Northern Ireland. It is also a nationally, regionally and locally recognised iconic landscape. The site is associated with the legend of Finn MacCool and contains the site of the wreck of the Spanish Armada gallesass 'Girona'.In the past the site has been visited by many famous travellers including Sir Walter Scott, William Thackeray and Dr Samuel Johnson.