Athenia

Explorer Tom Inishtrahull Lighthouse is standing tall as the northernmost light in Ireland, designed by A. D. H. Martin. It’s slender, robust, and has been guiding ships with a twenty-nautical-mile range since the twentieth century. Wave at it from across to Malin and tell it Tom appreciates its job!

Explorer Tom Inishtrahull got a lighthouse in 1812 to help ships using Lough Foyle. I would love to see the lamp from Ireland's most northerly island, but the island is generally inaccessible. This is one for imagining a wave from the mainland, not planning a landing.

Explorer Tom Inishtrahull Lighthouse was designed by George Halpin, a real legend who built lights all over Ireland. The keeper's house is right there too, probably still smells like fish and solitude. Keep an eye out for maritime heritage that actually shines in the dark!

Explorer Tom EIRE 80 sign was written for eyes in the sky, not for someone standing beside it. The stones told wartime pilots they were over neutral Ireland, and 80 named Malin Head's lookout post. I would take the ground view slowly; this lettering had a much larger audience than most signs.

Explorer Tom Malin Head is the most northerly point on the Wild Atlantic Way route, making this visitor information spot a true geographical milestone.

Explorer Tom Malin Head is the end of the world, or at least the end of Donegal. The wind tries to blow your brain out. Bring a camera and your most suspicious face to catch the gulls in action.

Explorer Tom Behold Malin Tower, a square-plan structure that has served as everything from a signal station to a radio hub! It stands proudly on a rocky outcrop near Malin Head, offering some absolutely unobstructed views of the Atlantic.

Explorer Tom Hell's Hole Cavern, Malin Head is a long, narrow chasm that sounds like a drum kit being dropped off a cliff. The Atlantic tide rushes in with such a thunderous roar you can hear the water before you see it.

Explorer Tom Skildrenbeg is out here doing its own thing, probably ignoring the big fish. Look up, because the best bit is always higher than you think, and that goes for islands too.

Explorer Tom Wee House of Malin Cave is measured at only 2.75 metres deep, yet the local saying gives it room for everything that goes in. That is one ambitious little house. The recorded cave sits beside Malin Well and the old church; I would let the story stretch the walls while leaving the real rock alone.

Explorer Tom At Seaview Tavern, the seafood is the star: crab, oysters and fish of all kinds up at Malin Head. Tom's only problem is choosing what to eat first. He may have to come back for round two.

Explorer Tom White Strand is probably white because it hasn't been cleaned since 1954. The guesthouse beds are likely made with feathers that belong to very angry geese. Fluff them up!