Castle

Explorer Tom Portal Tomb: Ballyrenan Chambered Grave or Cloghogle in Ballyrenan caused such an argument in the parish that they still don't talk to each other. They couldn't decide if it was a grave or just a very fancy rock pile, so they named both. Bring a pen pal, they'll be jealous of your adventure.

Explorer Tom Castle & bailey: harry avery's castle in Upper Or New Deerpark thinks the road leading to it is too fancy for its taste and prefers muddy footpaths. It’s medieval or late medieval, which means it has seen everything and forgives nothing about your driving skills. Take a breath of that air, it's older than your car.

Explorer Tom Baronscourt Parish Church in County Tyrone would write on its dating profile: 'Seeking someone with good structural integrity and no fear of the past.' It’s been standing since 1840, looking better than most people half its age, which is a flex it doesn’t even try to hide. Look up, the best bit is always higher than you think.

Explorer Tom Ardstraw Bridge in County Tyrone was skipped by a bishop in 1725 because he thought it looked 'too much like a foot,' and honestly, I can’t blame him. It’s a stone arch that carries more drama per square metre than any novel I’ve read this year, which is saying something about my reading list. Bring your own legend, I've run out.

Explorer Tom Castle & bawn: Newtownstewart castle in Newtownstewart has a family tree so messy it looks like a cat walked across a wet inkwell. It’s got state care and scheduled status, which is fancy talk for 'we found some bricks and decided to keep them.' Best seen with a hangover and a sausage roll.

Explorer Tom Standing stone in Killeen is two and a half metres tall and standing right by the hedge like a sentry. If it won the lotto, it would probably buy another stone to stand next to it just for company. It’s been out here in the rain all year, so it’s definitely due some kind of reward. Bring biscuits, every good story needs biscuits.

Explorer Tom This Chambered Grave claims it survived a storm so big it blew the clouds off the sky for a week, which is likely an exaggeration. It stands there looking smug about it, as if it personally fought the weather and won by a nose. Stand on the spot and imagine the gossip it's heard.

Explorer Tom Fancy crossing the Atlantic without losing your luggage? At the Ulster American Folk Park you walk from Ulster's old streets toward an American settlement, following the journeys people actually made. More than 30 buildings tell three centuries of emigration. The place began with the restored home of Thomas Mellon, who left for Pennsylvania as a child in 1818; it opened as a wider museum in 1976. Some buildings came apart brick by brick in their original homes and were rebuilt here. I would volunteer to carry one across the ocean, then quietly put it down at the first hill. Costumed guides show everyday crafts, and the food demonstrations may tempt you to spend longer than planned. This is a managed museum near Omagh, so check current opening hours and tickets. Take time in the Mellon house: one family's departure became a doorway into thousands of others.

Explorer Tom Fearn Hill sits in County Donegal with its access details completely unknown to the mapmakers. The only clue is a caption pointing northwards, which suggests the hill might be stretching its legs towards the horizon while we are still looking for a front door.