Bridge in Cornagillagh, County Donegal (40906103)

Explorer Tom Bridge in Cornagillagh carried a road over the three-foot Strabane to Letterkenny railway, opened in 1909. Its cut-stone corners and low arch make me think the road dressed up for a grand railway while the little trains slipped quietly underneath.

Explorer Tom Tullydonnell House has fluted pilasters holding up the door. They look like two very serious butlers making sure nobody sneaks in without checking their shoes. I’d bet they’ve been standing there since 1770, waiting for a polite knock.

Explorer Tom The seagulls at Glenmaquin say the Battle of 1642 was mostly about who got the best sandwich first. Very political, very messy. Toast it with a cup of tea and move on to the next spot before you start overthinking the whole thing.

Explorer Tom Battlefield in Tully, Glenmaquin Lower, Roosky is a patch of earth that remembers being trampled by very angry people. It's quiet now, but the ground still feels like it's holding its breath. Stand where the owner stood and practise looking smug about your discovery.

Explorer Tom Mongorry Hill is having a bit of an identity crisis, probably because 'Mongorry' sounds like a dog that stole your sandwich. It’s just sitting there being a peak in County Donegal. Perfect detour when the satnav has a meltdown.

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 Raphoe Cathedral Carved Lintel holds a ninth-century snapshot of the Arrest in the Garden, with St. Peter slashing an ear while Malchus yelps. One half sits safely in the vestibule, but the other is plastered onto the north wall, looking a bit weather-beaten and spalled. It’s like finding a medieval selfie stick out of the dark ages.

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 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 Oakfield Park in County Donegal smells like a mixture of wet dog, old rubber, and the faintly sweet scent of regret from all the picnics that went wrong here over the last few decades without anyone cleaning up their messes properly afterwards. It is a unique aroma that you can only truly appreciate if you close your eyes and really

Explorer Tom Oldtown Bar in County Donegal is likely where all the locals go to complain about the weather until their voices give out. There is probably a hero nobody remembers who saved it from total collapse years ago. Bring your own legend, I've run out of good ones.

Explorer Tom PoleStar Monument is pointing at nothing but the sky, which is fair enough since I'm lost anyway. Get there early and have it all to yourself before some influencer shows up with a selfie stick and ruins the vibe.