Once, very long ago on the northern most shores of beautiful Ireland, there was a giant named Cearnaigh. He was not particularly tall, and not especially smart, but he was kind and well loved by his beautiful wife, Aine. She had deep blue eyes that saw into his soul, auburn hair that glowed like fire in the sun, and a body that…well, lets just say that he felt no urge to go a’ roaming. What he did feel was doubt. Doubt that anyone as beautiful as Aine, could be content with someone as ordinary as he. Like many an Irishman, he had a way with words, and could spin a yarn until the sheep stood naked in the fields. He’d always told stories, but as his insecurity grew, his stories became more and more about his prowess in every activity imaginable. Did you catch a big fish? His would have swallowed it whole and 10 more besides. Did you grow a good field of grain? His grain was so tall it cast shadows on the distant Slemish Mountain. Were your children the smartest and… Here he had to stop, for though they had tried, he and Aine had been unable to have children. And as you can imagine, this caused him no little worry. His wife, supremely happy with her choice of spouse, suppressed a mild irritation that he could not see this, and patiently waited for him to trust her love as she trusted his. It turned out that Cearnaigh was not the only one who thought Aine deserved a better husband. Many giants came to offer their services, much to Aine’s irritation. A few particularly persistent suitors, discovered that she had a very persuasive left hook. One day, word came around of a giant named Madadh, who was making noise, across the water in Scotland. Madadh had heard Cearnaigh’s boastful tales and of his desirable wife. His own boasts came drifting over the Irish Sea. His fish would swallow Cearnaigh’s with a school of fish thrown in for good measure. His grain was so tall it had cast seeds on the desolate plains of the moon. And his children…Well not being married, he decided not to elaborate on them. He boasted that he would grind this Irish upstart into the ground with his left pinkie. He would show Aine what a real man was all about, and sire 20 children of her. Cearnaigh heard of these tales and noticed that Aine seemed a little distracted. One day, he spent several hours at the local pub listening to nasty little Proinsias, filling his head with stories of Aine secretly corresponding with Madadh and planning to run away with him. The name Proinsias means ’little French man,’ (which goes a long way in explaining why Proinsias, an Irish giant, was so nasty.) Cearnaigh came home to an empty house and when he ran to the shore, he found the family boat was missing. His doubts vindicated, he built a bridge. All the way from the shores of Ireland to Madadh’s home in Scotland. Poor Cearnaigh! When he found Madadh (fortunately asleep) he discovered that Madadh was half again as tall as he, two times as wide, and solid muscle. Dejected, he returned, head low, across the bridge to his home. And to his wife who stood at the first stone of his bridge with arms akimbo and fire in her eyes. She knew exactly where he had been as she had caught Proinsias returning the boat from where he had hidden it. Proinsias was now back at the pub, with two black eyes thanking Accasbel that he was alive. Aine was furious, and her hormones were a bit amuck. By the time she paused for a breath, Cearnaigh was at her feet in tears, promising never to doubt her again. And they lived happily ever after? …Not quite yet. When Madadh awoke, he sensed that someone had been in his home and learned that it had been Cearnaigh and of his bridge. Now as I’ve said, Madadh was a big fellow, and he was one of those who likes to send out taunts before him. So Cearnaigh and Aine heard him well before he came into view. Cearnaigh had just found out that he was going to be a father so the few wits that he had, were conspicuously absent. Fortunately not so for Aine, and she swiftly made a baby costume for Cearnaigh. When Madadh came roaring up to their home, he was told in severe tones to keep quiet, and not to wake up the baby. Madadh looked into the house and saw the biggest baby, he had ever seen. He looked at the beautiful Aine, and he looked at the huge baby, and ran back across the bridge, tearing it asunder as he went. Aine looked at her big baby and smiled. Cearnaigh smiled back and they lived happily ever after (most of the time).

This has a resemblance in its makeup with the Devils Tower that I uploaded the other day which was also formed by volcanic action. This is a super pic of this phenomenon Carin and a beautiful dedi.

nice wide angle shot, a bit pitty of al that people in the background

WOW! Marvellous!

Have never been up that way The stones look like perfect hexagons! Nice capture and story!

Brilliant photo and colours. It looks so man made.

Thank you so much for this wonderful birthday dedi Lucinda, it really did start my day off with a huge smile :) I've heard of the Giant's Causeway but never seen it before now so this was a special treat. It really is an amazing site to behold, and the story behind it was so funny as it seems Cearnaigh let his jealousy and anger get the best of him once to often.

marvelous story and image!! wonderful dedi!!

a wonderful picture of this, a most striking place in such a beautiful part of the world

love it lot.........excellent dedication.......

WOW WHat a gorgeous dedication shot to Dave. It is a fantastic place and I loved the story too :-)

A beautiful photo, a story interesting and fun! I think a 'good dedication for Dave! Seems like a great place to see!

Wonderful place to visit! I like it a lot :)

Great! Is this amazing beautiful. Happy birthday dear Dave. A wonderful story and dedi for our friend, Lucinda!

that what I thought . giants made this hahahahah very good story

Great capture & a sight to see, great story!!!

Fabulous place! Splendid capture and very interesting story! :)

Outstanding ominous ambience and quasi silhouetting in this stunner, Lucinda! But created 50 to 60 million years ago? Hard to believe because it looks and sounds so manmade. Sorry, but I didn't have the time to read your extensive narrative of myth.

The Irish tell the best tales. Must be the blarney in them (and the whiskey). Fantastic POV on this and wonderful gift for Dave. They do look man made.

Awesome shot!

MARVELOUS IMAGE

Most amazing place and capture my friend, superb story and a sweet dedication, loved every single detail, congratulations!

Awesome Photo and story!

Incredible capture and story, Lucinda. Marvelous spot and work. Hugs. Diane. xx

Knowing you offers you the best for my friends Lucinda Belle. Dave and an artist so generous of her heart. Many thanks for sharing this beautiful gift. Happy Birthday Dave and thanks again ((5 + +)) Te connaissant tu n'offres que le meilleur pour tes amis ma Belle Lucinda . Et Dave un Artiste si généreux de son coeur . Mille mercis de partager ce beau cadeau . Bonne fête Dave et encore mercis ((5++))

This is excellent capture lucinda and great dedication for dave..

Incredible and this is something I'd love to see for myself, live and in person. The story itself is fantastic but coupled with the image it's truly mythic in the best possible way. I also like the way the columns vaguely resemble the colums/tiles that appeared in Star Trek: The Motion Picture during that rather languid climax involving the Enterprise, the command-rank members of the crew, the android replica of Lt. Ilia, and V'ger...our heroes walked along a similar causeway before finally meeting V'ger and realizing that it was just an old Voyager probe, with an alien/machine intelligence embedded in it. Okay, this really doesn't have much to do with a languid climax in a very turgid movie with a great score, but there you have it. This is really a fantastic shot and a perfect dedication. Super on all counts!

Amazing capture and the people add perspective. Dana

What a memorable image!! :) :)

What a find - almost wants me to travel to Ireland, to see it for myself ... The almost ominous looking sky is a vision to match the rest of the image, just perfect, kudos BB