The Giant’s Causeway is in Ireland. It is in the north. It is a rock formation. The rocks are shaped like hexagons. Volcanic activity under the water formed the rocks. But an old Irish tale offers a different explanation.

Long ago, lived a giant named Fionn MacCumhaill. This was his Irish name. He later became known as Finn MacCool. So that’s what we’ll call him.

Finn lived on the northern tip of Ireland. He could see the tip of Scotland from the shore. In Scotland, lived another giant. He was known as the Red Giant. He had fiery red hair.

One day, the Red Giant began to yell insults at Finn. He called Finn mean names. This made Finn angry. Finn challenged the Red Giant to a real fight. The other giant agreed. Finn didn’t want to get his feet wet crossing the water. So he built a causeway. A causeway is a stone path. Today, this path is known as the Giant’s Causeway.

Finn crossed it to Scotland. He saw the Red Giant in the distance. He was huge! He was far bigger than Finn. Finn fled! He ran home. The Red Giant chased Finn. Luckily, Finn had a good head start.

Finn slammed the door behind him. He told his wife Oonagh what happened. Luckily, she was a smart woman. She knew just what to do. Oonagh pushed Finn into a huge cradle. Then she covered all but his face with a sheet.

Soon after, the Red Giant got to the house. He began to bang on the door. Calmly, Oonagh opened the door. She invited him inside. “Where is that coward, Finn MacCool,” the Red Giant demanded.

“Why, he’s out tending to the cows right now. Why don’t you sit down and have some tea,” said Oonagh soothingly.

The Red Giant was still very angry. He didn’t want any tea.

“Bring me Finn MacCool right now,” he demanded.

“Calm down,” said Oonagh. “I can’t bring him too you. He’s out in the pasture with the cows. But you can see our baby while you wait.” Oonagh brought the Red Giant over to the crib.

The Red Giant looked at the giant creature inside the crib. He became very scared. If Finn’s baby is this big, Finn himself must be huge, the giant thought.

The Red Giant shook with fear. He fled from Finn’s house. He ran back to Scotland. He destroyed a lot of the causeway on his way back. He didn’t want Finn to follow him. The Red Giant was never seen again. But what’s left of the causeway remains until this day.