An Eibhear

Explorer Tom Rathlin O'Birne Lighthouse lit up on nuclear power in 1974. When that source faded in 1987, wind generators took over, and solar power followed. I had to read that twice: a nuclear chapter for a little lighthouse off Donegal.

Explorer Tom Teach Solais an Reachlainn Uí Bhirn actually ran on nuclear power before solar panels! I bet the keepers were too busy checking their watches for radioactive ticks to notice the waves crashing right outside. It’s like a tiny glowing bomb living in a stone tower.

Explorer Tom Rathlin O'Birne Island's lighthouse took its time: shipowners asked for it in 1841, and the light first flashed in 1856. I would have worn out several candles waiting. Irish Lights tells the story of a working sea light here, not a public island trip.

Explorer Tom Malin Beg Signal Tower is still standing tall, complete with intact bartizans and a doorway protected by corbels. It used to shout warnings about French ships, but now it just sits there, potentially filling up with rainwater. Very dramatic, very wet.

Explorer Tom Malin Beg Hostel sounds like a place where backpackers trade stories that sound more like horror films. Ask about the strangest guest they’ve ever had.

Explorer Tom Silver Strand Viewpoint looks south-west, capturing the shimmering waters and rugged coastline in a truly scenic Donegal landscape.

Explorer Tom Malin More Portal Tombs is a row of six chambers lined up like they’re waiting for something, all facing different directions. You’ve got one facing ENE, another SSE, and a few pointing straight at the sky or the road. It’s proper chaotic, but that 3.2m long chamber with its massive roofstone still on top is a real heavyweight.

Explorer Tom Rossan Point provides a vantage point near Malin Beg, perfect for watching the waves crash and the seagulls dance.

Explorer Tom Glencolmcille Folk Village lines up Donegal homes from the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries in replica cottages. I could walk from one period to another before my tea went cold, though the furniture would change on me at every door. It is a clever way to compare ordinary lives.

Explorer Tom Biddy's Pub in County Donegal is where the music stops and the shouting starts. Order a pint, look confused, and pretend you know the local dialect perfectly.

Explorer Tom Children's playground in County Donegal is likely a magnet for toddlers with bad attitudes. Check if the swings are still attached to the earth. If not, report back immediately so I can laugh at you.

Explorer Tom Glencolmcille Old Graveyard holds two church stories: the modern church stands just north of an older church site, whose building was pulled down in 1828. I spotted a useful caution in the record too: earlier writers mentioned a circular enclosure, but the later survey saw no trace. One dot, several layers, and not all equally certain.