Giant’s Causeway World Heritage Site

ABOUT

The Giant’s Causeway and Causeway Coast World Heritage Site is located along the exposed Atlantic coast of Northern Ireland. The Giant’s Causeway is made up of over 40,000 columns of basalt and was formed during a sequence of volcanic eruptions and erosion events at the start of the Palaeogene period, some 60 million years ago. The site has attracted visitors for over 300 years and is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Northern Ireland.

Inscribed in 1986, The Giant’s Causeway and Causeway Coast was Northern Irelands first World Heritage Site and is one of only two world heritage sites in the UK inscribed because of its natural heritage. The site was inscribed due to the extent of visible columnar basalt, rock exposures and array of geological features which not only present a spectacle of natural beauty, but which enable detailed analysis of geological activity of the Tertiary era in the North Atlantic.

Along with recognising the WHS itself the setting of the Site is also recognised. This falls into two sections, Distinctive Landscape which is land adjacent and leading up to the Site and forms the immediate setting while the Supportive Landscape comprises of medium, distant and elevated views of the WHS all which bolster the Distinctive Landscape Setting.

MANAGEMENT FORUM

A Steering Group provides a participatory WHS management function. It represents conservation, tourism, recreation and local community interests and includes individuals and stakeholders who represent local communities, landowners, governmental, non-governmental and private organisations. CCGHT provide a secretariat service for the WHS Steering Group.

The Steering Group is responsible for collaborating on the development and implementation of the World Heritage Site Management Plan and associated Action Plan. The aims and objectives included in these Plans reflect the conservation requirements of the WHS, while also promoting sustainable practices and opportunities that may benefit local people and raise awareness of World Heritage generally. This is the only group dedicated to safeguarding the OUV and integrity of the Giant’s Causeway and Causeway Coast World Heritage Site.

RESEARCH

The Research Advisory Group is a group of representatives who actively advise the Giant’s Causeway and Causeway Coast WHS Steering Group on research topics, activities, and items relevant to the WHS.

Conducting research at the Giant’s Causeway and Causeway Coast WHS

The Research Advisory Group welcomes research at the WHS and aims to ensure that research activities support the management and conservation objectives outlined within the Giant’s Causeway WHS Management Plan 2021-2027.

Research Guidelines

The World Heritage Site Steering Group have a produced a set of guidelines for researchers conducting their researcher within the boundaries of the World Heritage Site and the Distinctive Landscape Steering. Researchers are strongly encouraged to follow the best practice guidelines provided when conducting any on-site research or survey activities. The guidelines can be viewed and downloaded here.

Notification of Research

The Research Advisory Group requests that researchers complete a notification of research form so that there is a record of any on-site research activities proposed within the vicinity of the WHS. This will assist with important management and conservation activities and also ensure that researchers are put in contact with relevant persons and made aware of existing data which may aid their research.  While conducting research at the WHS you are responsible for your personal safety.

Please fill in and submit the notification of research form by clicking the link below (opens in a new window).

PROJECTS

Each year, CCGHT apply for funding to carry out projects at the World Heritage Site.

This year our two main projects are:

• Coin Removal at the Giants Causeway in collaboration with the National Trust
• World Heritage Site Marine Cleans in collaboration with local charity Sea2it

VOLUNTEERING

We welcome a range of regular and ad hoc volunteers, grateful for any time committed, to assist in the delivery of initiatives aimed at conserving and enhancing the Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty and World Heritage Site. Volunteering offers everyone an opportunity to contribute to a real and visible difference to the built, natural, and cultural heritage of the area for the benefit of all.

A range of activities, events and roles, indoor and outdoor gives volunteers a chance to learn new skills, meet like-minded people, provide connection, and foster good wellbeing.

Causeway Coast & Glens Heritage Trust is committed to offering equal opportunities and is keen to recruit volunteers across all sections of the community, throughout the year.

The National Trust coordinates volunteer activities at the Giant’s Causeway, perhaps you could give your time to support visitors or help with conservation activities around the site. To find out more about volunteering at the Giant’s Causeway visit Volunteering at the Giant’s Causeway (on the National Trust web site) or email giantscauseway@nationaltrust.org.uk