Barry's Urn

Explorer Tom Oakfield House in Donegal is basically a fridge from 1850, built to keep ice cold when people forgot how to buy it from the shop. The builder probably thought he was genius, but really just made a very expensive freezer for his pies. I’d bet my last coin on its insulation being terrible.

Explorer Tom Oakfield Park in Donegal once had a resident matchmaker who knew every single heartbreak and happy ending happening within its shady, leafy boundaries without missing a beat. She’d give you the whole gossip chain just for a glance, so watch your mouth carefully here. Pack a picnic and an excuse.

Explorer Tom Bridge in Gortaquigley probably let a farmer cross the narrow gauge railway. Its arch once had trains passing beneath; the track was removed around 1960. Now the train is missing and the bridge keeps its arch. I wonder if it misses the noise.

Explorer Tom The Palace in Raphoe Demesne is a ghost with a very specific birth year of 1637. Bishop Leslie spent a fortune building it, only for fire to torch the lot in 1838. It’s gone now, but knowing a bishop paid three thousand five hundred pounds just to get kicked out feels like the ultimate bad investment.

Explorer Tom Cathedral in Raphoe Townparks is a palimpsest of history, with 9th-century carvings hiding inside its modern walls. Adomnán himself was linked to this monastery back in the 7th century, so that ground has seen more than just your average Sunday service.

Explorer Tom Cathedral in Raphoe Townparks hides a 9th-century lintel right under your nose. It depicts St. Peter chopping an ear off, which is a bit of a violent detail for a church entrance, but it proves this spot has been holy chaos for over a millennium.

Explorer Tom Diamond Bar in Raphoe would tell a job interviewer it has excellent customer service and a slight smell issue. It sits at the north end of The Diamond Square. Bring a map, get lost anyway, that's the fun.

Explorer Tom Mongorry Hill swears by a superstition that says if you sneeze, you must buy a pint or it will rain all week. Locals are terrified of this rule, so they carry umbrellas even in sunshine just to be safe. Whisper a secret at it, because it has kept worse ones for centuries.

Explorer Tom After the 1557 Battle of Binnion Hill near Lifford, one captured horse stood out among the spoils: Shane O'Neill's horse, called 'The Son of the Eagle'. Even the horses had names fit for a clan chronicle.

Explorer Tom Tully, Glenmaquin Lower had a fox that took charge of the whole operation once, probably because it was smarter than the generals involved in the mess. The animal just sat on a rock looking smug while everyone else argued over who started it. Take the long way round, it deserves the effort.

Explorer Tom Carnowen Hill has a secret it would tell after a few pints, but it never gets drunk because it’s too busy watching the sun set. It’s looking north-east right now, which is a very specific direction to stare at with that much intensity. Find a local and ask them the real story, then come back and tell me.

Explorer Tom Let the Dance Begin thinks the road leading to it is an insult to its artistic sensibilities, which is fair enough for a sculpture. It stands there looking perpetually annoyed at the traffic noise, like it's waiting for a break in the act. If anyone asks, Tom sent you.