Bridge in Killinangel Beg

Explorer Tom St. John's Church of Ireland in Killinangel Beg is a simple hall-type church from the early 1800s with a muted Gothic Revival look. The cut stone bellcote has an unusual fleur-de-lis design on it, which is quite cool. It’s just a mile from the beach!

Explorer Tom Hill House in Rossnowlagh is a multi-period complex with exposed sash boxes and large natural slate roofs. It’s got a variety of fenestration that tells its history, so photograph those sliding sash windows for me!

Explorer Tom Rossnowlagh seems determined to be a whole journey rather than one beach. Donegal tourism runs it from Coolmore’s cliffs to Carrickfad’s rock. I would need a bigger postcard for that stretch of golden sand; the surfers have probably had that problem for years.

Explorer Tom Sheebarran Ringfort is a massive circular space with a ditch so wide it could swallow a small car. It sits on the crest of a ridge with excellent views, making it the perfect spot for a dare to see how far you can shout. Use it as a yarn about being the king of the hill without actually wearing a crown.

Explorer Tom Kilbarron Old Church Graveyard features a 15th or 16th century ruin with a 2.4m high E gable that has no window at all. That is quite the dramatic lighting choice for a place meant to let in some divine brightness.

Explorer Tom Hawthorn in County Donegal is having a bit of a tantrum about needing permission to be seen. I'm told it's fancy stuff, but honestly, just hugging it might scare the locals off. Give it a wink for me.

Explorer Tom Dark Cliffs at Kilbarron sound like a gothic novel title written by a depressed teenager. They’re brooding, moody, and probably judging your photography skills. Snap one photo, then put the phone away and actually look.

Explorer Tom Kilbarron Castle in ruins clings to a precipitous promontory, where the O'Clerys rebuilt their stronghold after 1390. I love that trace of an underground passage, though it’s blocked up now. It’s basically a cliff-edge mystery with some very stubborn stone footing.

Explorer Tom Creevy Pier Hotel suggests you're staying on a pier that might wobble dangerously in high tide, with the 'hotel' part doing heavy lifting. It’s basically a restaurant pretending to be accommodation, so don't trust the balcony too much. Bring your nan, she'll know more than me.

Explorer Tom McGinley’s Bar is on Bishop Street, so maybe bring your prayers just in case something weird happens over there. Order something with a name longer than three words and see if they can even spell it correctly. If anyone asks, Tom sent you.

Explorer Tom Murvagh Beach has a wartime lookout hut that Joy Browne, writing for Donegal tourism, remembers playing in as a child. She says erosion has since sunk it into the sand and made entry impossible. A lookout hut retiring by burying its feet is theatrical enough for me; I would leave it to its rest.

Explorer Tom Standing stone in Townparks is roughly 1.3m high and set on rock outcrop, possibly just a natural feature rather than a true standing stone. Locals say it marks a fording place of the river Erne, but with 'cat's paw' markings that might be natural too, it’s hard to know if it’s a guide or just a grumpy rock.