The 9 Best Geologic Formations in Northern Ireland, United Kingdom

Northern Ireland's most popular tourist destination: this large stretch of staircase-shaped rocks is the result of cooled lava from volcanic eruptions that took place over 65 million years ago.

Considered one of the most important ancient monuments in Northern Ireland, this historical structure is identified as Emain Macha, the seat of the ancient kings of Ulster, and named after the Princess Macha.

The Ring of Gullion is an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and is home to the very popular Slieve Gullion Forest Park, as well as Derrymore Estate and Camlough Lake. The Ring of Gullion Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty is a unique geological landform, unparalleled elsewhere in Ireland or the UK and was the first ring dyke in the world to be geologically mapped. It was voted onto the ‘Top 100 Geosites of UK & Ireland’. The ring of low, rugged hills forms a ‘rampart’ around the heather-clad Slieve Gullion mountain. Rich semi-wild habitats of heath, bog and woodland contrast with the neatly patterned fields and ladder farms. The AONB straddles the Northern Ireland border with the Republic of Ireland in south Armagh. The AONB shares many landscape characteristics with the adjacent Cooley peninsula in County Louth. Slieve Gullion’s mysterious reputation arises from its associations with legends and the wider area’s rich archaeological heritage. It was along these roads and fields, and over these hills and mountains, that Cúchulainn and the Red Branch Knights, the O’Neills and the O’Hanlons roamed, battled and died. You can read some of these stories about Fionn Mac Cumhaill, Cúchulainn and the Cailleach Beara in the Living History Section, but better still Experience Gullion at one of the many local pubs and storytelling houses or visit the Giant’s Lair at Slieve Gullion. The Ring of Gullion is alive with history, awash in scenic beauty and bursting with culture. You can Experience Gullion’s rich geology, biodiversity and archaeology very easily. Browse the Ring of Gullion site, and plan your trip; you can Experience Gullion with our self guided Audio Tours or you can choose a guide from our tour guides page to bring Gullion to life with their local knowledge. You can also use our Interactive Map to Experience Gullion before heading out. There are lots of ways to Experience Gullion and Get Involved through volunteering, events, training or simply taking a stroll along one of our many tranquil walkways. So get out there and experience all that the Ring of Gullion Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty has to offer.