Brush Islands

Explorer Tom Ionad Teampeall Chróine is a cruciform-plan church from c. 1855-6 that’s now trading its pews for library shelves and heritage displays. It was built by local parishioners who literally raised the stones themselves, which is a level of dedication that really sets it apart. Now that it’s a tourist office, you can peek inside and see how they managed to keep those Celtic cross finials looking so sharp despite the change of use.

Explorer Tom Teach Owenie Bán in Dungloe has a sign that’s falling off the wall, which is very on-brand for the pub. The Irish name is fancy, but the pints are likely mediocre. Keep an eye out for ghosts.

Explorer Tom Mulhern’s Corner Bar sits right on Lower Main Street, looking down its nose at everyone else. The corner is probably sharp enough to cut your cheek. Ask if they have any stories about the wall.

Explorer Tom Bridge in Dunglow has three arches that look like they’re wearing very serious stone smiles! Built around 1760, I wonder if the masons practiced their grins before setting each block. It feels like a river gatekeeper who’s been holding its breath for centuries.

Explorer Tom Croaghnamaddy in County Donegal is basically just a very arrogant hill that thinks it's a mountain. I'd bet my last pint there's a secret bakery up there, so bring biscuits, every good story needs biscuits.

Explorer Tom Cairn, Loughanure is a place where the name suggests a connection to water and perhaps a specific local story. I imagine it’s one of those spots that has been part of the landscape for a long time, maybe used by people who lived nearby. It’s a name that makes you think about how places get their names.

Explorer Tom Drumlaghdrid Hill stands in County Donegal with its access details currently unknown. A photograph shows the B7905 road climbing south-eastwards across its flank, six kilometres north of Lettermacaward. It is a bit cheeky for a hill to have such a well-documented road climbing up its side while still keeping its own path a secret!

Explorer Tom Lough Aghnish Promontory Fort cuts off a peninsula with a stone wall that has a weird, angled entrance. The base is solid, but the top looks like modern repairs. It’s a bit of a puzzle why they built it exactly there.

Explorer Tom Inis Mhic an Doirn has that 'don't touch' energy radiating off it like Wi-Fi. There’s a derelict building nearby that looks haunted by bad decisions. Mind the nettles, they're the real guards here and they bite back.