Claggan Hill

Explorer Tom Rock House in Claggan is a fishing lodge with an eye-catching tower that makes it look like it’s trying to signal passing ships for dinner. Thomas Jacob Birch built it to get a great view of Rosnafinna Point, which is nice if you’re into staring at mountains while waiting for a bite. The near-symmetrical footprint is doing its best not to tip over into the sea. Blow a kiss

Explorer Tom Holy Trinity Church in Ballycroy was built by a Lieutenant-Colonel who clearly loved his architecture more than his wife’s cooking. It stands there looking very important, even though it’s just an empty shell with some strong opinions about design. Stand back on the public path and admire its compact rectilinear plan without getting too close to the private grass. You’ll look sophisticated doing a

Explorer Tom Claggan Mountain Coastal Trail is proud of its boardwalk, which it thinks is a masterpiece of engineering when it’s really just wood on mud. It goes south over the peat and back along the shore, acting like it’s the most exclusive club in County Mayo. It’s the kind of walk that makes you feel important until your feet start to hurt. Hang around long enough and you'll hear

Explorer Tom Inis Bigil sits between Achill and the Mayo mainland, close enough for me to promise an easy crossing and wise enough to demand a boat anyway. The island is about 2.5 by 1.5 kilometres. Its history mixes a Gaeltacht setting with a Protestant community, a real local detail that deserves more than a lazy label. Farming, fishing and winkle picking have all helped people live here. For years there was talk of a cable car across the strong Bullsmouth current; the plan was abandoned, so my offer to swing over on a rope remains equally useless. Arrange a permitted boat from the present departure points, confirm the return and respect homes and working fields. The water is short on a map but powerful in practice. Let the islanders, not my bravado, set the pace.

Explorer Tom Mulranny Tourist Office sits on Main Street with solar panels that seem to be judging everyone who walks past without a map, which is ironic since they sell maps for a living. It's secretly proud of one specific potato it grew in the back garden last year, but won't say which one under oath. The vibe is pure 'we know stuff you don't.' Perfect place to be dramatically

Explorer Tom Cabbage tree got the Vikings lost because they thought it was a giant head of leafy greens growing sideways. It’s actually from New Zealand, so it’s a total impostor in this part of the world. Tell it a joke, it's been a long time since anyone did.