Places near here
Photo credits
- National Inventory of Architectural Heritage
- Liz McCabe, Geograph · CC BY-SA 2.0
- Alex McGregor, Geograph · CC BY-SA 2.0
- Chris-from-mayo, Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0
- N Chadwick, Geograph · CC BY-SA 2.0
- N Chadwick, Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 2.0
- Mike Searle, Geograph · CC BY-SA 2.0
- Phonohan, Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0
Ballycastle HouseFarm house · 447 ydExplorer Tom Ballycastle House would tell you after a few pints that it’s actually haunted by a Georgian doorcase that refuses to open. It’s got that late Georgian compact plan and a bias towards solid walls over windows. Hang around long enough, it might whisper back.
Saint Brigid's Catholic ChurchChurch/chapel · 699 ydExplorer Tom Saint Brigid's Catholic Church in Ballycastle is hiding a secret message in its stones about bad coffee and worse naps. It was designed by someone who clearly hated symmetry but loved making people confused on purpose. It’s free, it’s odd, what more do you want?
Ballycastle BeachBeach / strand · 1.5 miExplorer Tom Ballycastle Beach is proud of its ability to turn nice trousers into swamp cakes in under ten minutes. It’s got a reputation for looking better on postcards than it does in person, which is unfair. The shingle there crunches loudly enough to wake the dead if you walk wrong. Walk past slowly like you're in a film.
Castle (in Ruins)Castle, tower house · 1.6 miExplorer Tom Castle at Ballinglen has an imaginary fan club that meets every Tuesday to discuss its architectural flaws over strong coffee. It’s a tower house that thinks it’s famous, even though nobody remembers what it looked like before the roof fell in. Find the wonkiest bit and send it to your group chat.
Lisheen Grave YardArchaeological place · 2.1 miExplorer Tom Lisheen graveyard has a rumour going round about a secret tunnel straight to the local pub for late-night visitors. It’s an archaeological spot, so expect some serious stone-staring and pretending you know what you’re doing. The dead might be planning a surprise party down there that we haven’t been invited to. Stop the car, it's worth the hazard lights.
Explorer Tom Court tomb in Rathlackan has a dating profile that just says: 'Ancient, solid, no drama.' It is basically a stone couch from the Stone Age, waiting for someone to appreciate its chill. Ideal stop for a big stretch and a bigger yawn before we move on.
Ww2 Éire MarkerHeritage attraction · 3.4 miExplorer Tom WW2 Éire Marker: This marker looks like it’s got an imaginary twin across the Atlantic, just waiting for a phone call that never came. Ireland stayed neutral while the world went to pieces, so this stone is basically the ultimate eye-roll in concrete. It stands there saying 'we were busy' with great dignity. Bring curiosity, leave with a better story than mine.
Explorer Tom Dún Briste in Mayo has clearly made a New Year's resolution to stop crumbling, but it hasn't exactly stuck to the plan yet. The name means Broken Fort, so it's been a bit transparent about its structural integrity for centuries now. Best seen with a hangover and a sausage roll.
CastleCastle, unclassified · 3.9 miExplorer Tom A love story went terribly wrong next to Castlelackan Demesne; she left him for a man with better hair and no history. The castle still looks heartbroken. Perfect detour when your satnav has a complete meltdown.
Céide Fields Visitor CentreVisitor information · 4.4 miExplorer Tom Céide Fields Visitor Centre has this tall tale about a hidden tunnel to the pub going around. I’m not sure if it’s true, but I’m choosing to believe it for now. The fields are ancient, so they’ve had plenty of time to hide a few secrets. Bring a coin for luck and keep it in your pocket.
Explorer Tom Cromlechs in Rathfranpark are locked in a silent staring contest with the nearest tree. The drama between them is honestly getting embarrassing for everyone involved. Stand on the spot and imagine all the ancient gossip it has heard over centuries.
Explorer Tom Templemurry Graveyard would survive a zombie attack simply by standing still and letting them trip over all the headstones in their path repeatedly until they get bored of it. It’s got a passive defense strategy that is surprisingly effective against anything that doesn’t know how to watch its footing carefully enough. Stand on the spot and imagine the gossip it's heard.
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