In Northern Ireland, the Giant's Causeway threatened by... coins thrown into the sea • Go-to-Ireland.com

While the Giant’s Causeway is undoubtedly one of Europe’s most spectacular natural sites, it is now facing a threat… one that is, to say the least, unexpected! The authorities have just sounded the alarm: tourists, thinking they’re doing the right thing by perpetuating a “good luck” gesture, are in fact damaging this geological masterpiece, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. We take a look at this surprising and worrying news, and at the best practices for visiting this site without damaging it.

Giant’s Causeway: when hundreds of kilos of coins threaten the site…

The Giant’s Causeway: a legendary natural gem

Located in the north of Ireland, in County Antrim, the Giant’s Causeway is famous for its thousands of hexagonal basalt columns, formed some 60 million years ago by a lava flow.

It’s also the setting for a legend that can’t be ignored: that of Irish giant Finn McCool, who built this stone bridge to join his Scottish rival Benandonner. The result? A mythical landscape, between sea and cliffs, that attracts over a million visitors every year from all over the world.

Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1986, the Chaussée is also protected for its biodiversity and unique geological formations.

A rain of parts that destroys the environment

or several years, the site’s guardians and the National Trust, which protects it, have noticed a growing phenomenon: tourists throw coins into the crevices, onto the rocks or directly into the sea, thinking they are honouring a tradition of good luck or making a wish.

While this may seem a harmless gesture, in reality it has deleterious consequences:

Rock corrosion: the copper and other metals in the coins promote corrosion and weaken the basalt columns.
Marine pollution: at high tide, the parts are washed out to sea, polluting the surrounding marine ecosystem.
Impact on wildlife: some birds and fish ingest these parts, which can be fatal.
Aesthetic alteration: the metallic and oxidized hues distort the natural, raw beauty of the site.

The National Trust estimates the volume of coins collected each year at several hundred kilos!

Why has this gesture become commonplace?

Le phénomène s’explique par plusieurs facteurs :

L’influence d’autres sites touristiques comme les fontaines italiennes ou les puits celtiques où jeter une pièce porte bonheur est une coutume ancienne.
La méconnaissance du statut protégé et fragile du site.
L’absence d’une signalétique claire, jusque récemment, pour dissuader ce comportement.

Beaucoup de touristes ne se doutent pas que ce geste, censé être anodin, cause en réalité un tort irréversible.

Ce que dit le National Trust

In a press release issued this month, the site’s managers call on visitors to “respect the exceptional character of this place” and remind them that the Giant’s Causeway is neither a fountain nor a wishing well.

“It’s crucial that everyone understands that every coin thrown is an assault on local geological heritage and biodiversity,” says a spokesperson.

New educational panels have been installed at the entrance to the site, and volunteer guides are on hand to teach groups about best practices as soon as they arrive.

How to visit the Chaussée responsibly?

To enjoy this unique site while contributing to its preservation, here are a few simple tips:

Don’t throw anything away: coins, paper or chewing gum.
Stay on marked trails to avoid eroding fragile areas.
Don’t take stones or rocks as souvenirs.
Respect local wildlife and avoid feeding birds.
Visit during off-peak hours to reduce tourist pressure.

These gestures make all the difference and ensure that the site will remain spectacular for future generations.

In addition to the obvious ecological and heritage benefits, this situation highlights the responsibility of travellers. Poorly managed tourism can have irreversible consequences. Sustainable tourism, on the other hand, becomes a positive force, helping to finance the protection of these treasures while raising awareness.

Visiting Ireland also means soaking up its culture, which is deeply respectful of nature and the legends that surround it. And there’s nothing more magical than admiring the Giant’s Causeway as it has existed, untouched, for millions of years.