Ardnamohane

Explorer Tom Drumhallagh Upper Court Tomb is a proper gallery with two secret chambers staring out over Lough Swilly. The backstone leans like it’s about to topple, but those tall jambs still hold the line. It’s roofless and messy, yet that view from between two river valleys makes it feel like a hidden lookout.

Explorer Tom Druid's Altar is a large tilted slab resting on three low stones near Croaghan Hill. The survey says it is not a megalithic tomb and cannot settle whether people placed it or nature did. That uncertainty is the story I want to keep, rather than appointing a druid without a record.

Explorer Tom Saint Catherine's Catholic Church has two date stones, both saying 1792; one also names RDJ McElwee. The front has battlements and pinnacles. I expected a church, then found a little castle shape too. Now I want to know what those initials stood for.

Explorer Tom Croaghan Hill hides a passage tomb that dwarfs its own defensive walls. The enclosure is barely a metre high, yet it shelters a mound three metres high and twenty-one metres across. I bet the ancient builders felt rather small inside their own home.

Explorer Tom Water pump in Tirlaydan has a cow's-tail handle, though the whole thing is cast iron and needs no feeding. Erected around 1900, it recalls the days before mains water reached the area. That handle earns its silly name.

Explorer Tom Rathmullan Wood Nature Reserve is keeping itself quite busy in County Donegal. It's just another nature reserve spot, really, but it is a handy spot to stretch your legs and your imagination at the same time.

Explorer Tom Wych Elm in County Donegal is just an elm, but it’s got presence, like it’s waiting for you to say the right thing. It’s quiet, steady, and probably thinking about photosynthesis while you’re worrying about parking. Dare you to say hello to it out loud, see if the leaves rustle back.

Explorer Tom McGinley's has a guy at the bar who swears he saw a leprechaun pay his tab. He never left. Probably still in the back room polishing glasses that aren't there.

Explorer Tom The Village Inn sounds like it has a village in there, but it’s just a pub. Ask the bartender if he knows the local king. He probably doesn’t.

Explorer Tom Children's playground in County Donegal has a slide that definitely goes to the afterlife if you lean right. Just don’t ask me how I know about the exit route. Look for the ghost, then pretend you didn't see it at all.

Explorer Tom Rathmullan Beach starts at the pier and keeps strolling past Kinnegar toward the Glebe outcrop. If sand could wear walking boots, this strip would be lacing them up. A 2019 Lough Swilly report also notes otters among the wildlife; I would leave any real otter sighting to patience and luck.

Explorer Tom Another Rough Island in County Donegal, because apparently they needed a sequel to their first act. It sits there looking bored near Mulroy Bay. Ten minutes here and you'll have a yarn for the pub.