In addition to the many visits to the Causeway by scientists during the 18th and 19th centuries, the area was the destination of a great number of travellers both from Ireland and overseas. Early foreign visitors included de Latocnaye (1799) and Kohl (1844), both of whom included detailed and colourful descriptions of the Causeway in the published accounts of their travels. By the end of the 19th century, the Causeway had become an important tourist attraction, visited by many famous travellers including Dr Samuel Johnson, Sir Walter Scott and William Thackeray, and had been documented in much contemporary literature.
In 1833 the first hydro-electric tramway in the world was opened between Portrush and Bushmills and was extended in 1887 to Causeway Head, further enhancing the attraction of the area and providing easy access to the Causeway. Portrush, 12km from the Giant’s Causeway, was a popular Victorian seaside resort and a centre for visitors who travelled in their hundreds to the Causeway by car. Two hotels were established at the time at Causeway Head and visitors were able to enjoy a high degree of comfort. Several boarding houses also catered for travellers. Today a new railway, mostly steam-powered runs for two miles along the track bed of the former Giant’s Causeway tram providing a truly heritage experience between Bushmills and the World Heritage Site at the Giant’s Causeway.
From the last 19th century until 1961, when the area came under the control of the National Trust, the Causeway was a thoroughly commercialised site. During the summer season visitors were harangued by curiosity sellers and by many official and unofficial guides offering boat trips and tours of the curious features which had been christened by the local population – the Wishing Well, the Wishing Chair and the Chimney. It was these guides who perpetuated the legend that the Causeway had been the work of an Irish giant, Finn MacCool, to enable him to walk across the sea to Scotland, where similar columnar basalt formations can be found on the Isle of Staffa.
The geological curiosities of the Causeway Coast provided ample opportunity for the local guides to embroider the legends and it is now difficult to separate the ancient folklore from modern invention. The folklore and mystery surrounding the Causeway has also encouraged poetry and music further illustrates the importance of the Causeway in Ireland’s history.
In addition to the many visits to the Causeway by scientists during the 18th and 19th centuries, the area was the destination of a great number of travellers both from Ireland and overseas. Early foreign visitors included de Latocnaye (1799) and Kohl (1844), both of whom included detailed and colourful descriptions of the Causeway in the published accounts of their travels. By the end of the 19th century, the Causeway had become an important tourist attraction, visited by many famous travellers including Dr Samuel Johnson, Sir Walter Scott and William Thackeray, and had been documented in much contemporary literature.
In 1833 the first hydro-electric tramway in the world was opened between Portrush and Bushmills and was extended in 1887 to Causeway Head, further enhancing the attraction of the area and providing easy access to the Causeway. Portrush, 12km from the Giant’s Causeway, was a popular Victorian seaside resort and a centre for visitors who travelled in their hundreds to the Causeway by car. Two hotels were established at the time at Causeway Head and visitors were able to enjoy a high degree of comfort. Several boarding houses also catered for travellers. Today a new railway, mostly steam-powered runs for two miles along the track bed of the former Giant’s Causeway tram providing a truly heritage experience between Bushmills and the World Heritage Site at the Giant’s Causeway.
From the last 19th century until 1961, when the area came under the control of the National Trust, the Causeway was a thoroughly commercialised site. During the summer season visitors were harangued by curiosity sellers and by many official and unofficial guides offering boat trips and tours of the curious features which had been christened by the local population – the Wishing Well, the Wishing Chair and the Chimney. It was these guides who perpetuated the legend that the Causeway had been the work of an Irish giant, Finn MacCool, to enable him to walk across the sea to Scotland, where similar columnar basalt formations can be found on the Isle of Staffa.
The geological curiosities of the Causeway Coast provided ample opportunity for the local guides to embroider the legends and it is now difficult to separate the ancient folklore from modern invention. The folklore and mystery surrounding the Causeway has also encouraged poetry and music further illustrates the importance of the Causeway in Ireland’s history.