Ardnamoyle

Explorer Tom Grianán of Aileach has two roofed passages within its thick circular wall. Both curve toward the entrance and stop short. If you thought the fort was just one big ring of stone, the builders had another plan.

Explorer Tom Grianán of Aileach Outer Hillfort has a surprise outside the stone fort: three worn earthen rings may belong to a much older hillfort, perhaps from the Late Bronze or Iron Age. I came for one ancient place and found several piled into one hill! The long account below even traces an old road, a cairn and a holy well.

Explorer Tom Greenan Mountain is a peak in County Donegal with no recorded access details. The picture looks north towards Inch Island, which makes me think the mountain is just using it as a background for its own very serious portrait.

Explorer Tom Bogay House outbuildings are the leftovers from a big estate’s support system, including a former coach house that’s now just two pillars standing guard. It gives you an idea of how much staff they needed back then. Take a mate and argue about what it was for until you’re both tired.

Explorer Tom Castruse House hides a secret skeleton under its plaster. Local records say it was built in 1792 incorporating parts of an earlier house by the same family. I picture the old gable peeking out like a shy ghost, wondering if it still remembers who lived inside.

Explorer Tom When Balor Came West: The Second Battle of Mag Tuired sits on flat ground below Aileach, relying entirely on Eochu Ollathair’s poem rather than archaeology. I suppose it is easier to argue with a rhyme than a shovel.

Explorer Tom Children's playground has caught my eye in County Derry. I bet a children's playground with a name like that could keep me talking all afternoon; I'm already inventing a daft little scene for it, and I'll stop before it turns into history.

Explorer Tom Burt Castle's roofless keep still stands on the hill, with two round corner towers and rows of gun-loops. The old account even records a spiral stair with broken steps in the south-west tower. I would admire that stubborn stonework from safe ground; those steps sound like trouble.

Explorer Tom Castle & Earthwork Enclosure: Doherty Tower or Castle Aileach in Elagh More has caught my eye in Elagh More, County Derry. I bet a castle & earthwork enclosure: doherty tower or castle aileach with a name like that could keep me talking all afternoon; I'm already inventing a daft little scene for it, and I'll stop before it turns into history.

Explorer Tom Inch Castle Promontory Fort sits right on Farland Bank, which is a bit of a mystery since the records are silent. But that coastal edge? I bet the wind there has been roaring since ancient times, keeping the ghosts perfectly chilled.

Explorer Tom Battle of the Bogside has caught my eye in County Derry. I bet a major battlefield with a name like that could keep me talking all afternoon; I'm already inventing a daft little scene for it, and I'll stop before it turns into history.

Explorer Tom Double Bastion has caught my eye in County Derry. I bet a viewpoint with a name like that could keep me talking all afternoon; I'm already inventing a daft little scene for it, and I'll stop before it turns into history.