Conservationists spent approximately 200 hours removing over 10,000 coins from the Giant's Causeway, a natural landmark in County Antrim, Ireland, after tourists inserted them into the basalt columns. The practice, often done for perceived good luck, has escalated in recent years, raising concerns about potential damage to the UNESCO World Heritage site.
The Giant's Causeway, formed over 60 million years ago by cooling lava, is composed of more than 40,000 interlocking basalt columns. Over time, the damp and salty conditions at the site cause the inserted coins to corrode and expand, putting a strain on the surrounding stone. This expansion can lead to damage to the delicate geological formations.
Following a report from the Geological Survey of Northern Ireland, the National Trust initiated a cleanup project. Specialist stonemason Nathan Morrow was employed to carefully extract the coins. Some coins were easily removed, while others were deeply wedged and required more intensive effort, with some extractions taking over 20 minutes.
Dr. Cliff Henry, National Trust nature engagement officer, described the work as "fiddly" and "frustrating." He noted that the corrosive conditions make it difficult to identify the currency or date of many coins after only a few years. While the oldest identifiable coin seen was dated 1999, its placement could have been much later. Approximately 95% of the extracted coins were UK pounds or Euros, with U.S. dollars being the next most common.
Despite the extensive cleanup, which concluded in June, thousands of coins remain lodged in the columns. Many are too deeply corroded or wedged to be removed without risking significant damage to the stones. Henry indicated that these remaining coins would likely be left to naturally corrode over time.
Adding to the challenge, visitors have resumed inserting coins into the Causeway. Dr. Henry reported removing another 42 coins in the month prior to the report. The National Trust has since posted warning signs urging visitors not to insert coins. They are also considering an exhibit to display the collected coins and raise awareness about the issue.