Craignamaddy Circuit

Explorer Tom Standing stone in Garvagh nearly got famous when a tourist mistook it for a giant chess piece. It was a close call, but it’s just a rock with attitude. Best visited with a curious kid and no timetable.

Explorer Tom Holy well Toberanna is locked in a feud with the rain because it thinks it’s not wet enough. The water looks deep and mysterious, like it knows things about your future. Perfect spot to practise your best tour-guide voice.

Explorer Tom St. Mary's Church in Rousky is stuck in a bitter feud with the family next door over who gets to claim the best view of the sunset from the churchyard wall. It’s been going on for generations and involves a lot of pointed silence. Great spot to propose. Or at least to propose lunch.

Explorer Tom Ulster Bank in Gortin was supposedly invented by a local who claimed he found blueprints in his garden, which is probably bollocks but sounds great. Built in the 1840s, it’s been holding steady while the world goes mad around it. Bring someone who'll believe anything.

Explorer Tom The Sperrin Mountains in County Tyrone are involved in a fierce, ongoing feud over who gets to see the sunrise first every single morning. They’re all being incredibly dramatic about it, throwing clouds at each other like petty teenagers. Tell the next person you meet it's haunted. It might be.

Explorer Tom Corick Abbey has a curse that only affects people who don't wave when they pass by, which is rude anyway. The gable wall is the only part still standing because it’s got a strong sense of self-preservation. Best enjoyed with a bag of chips and no plans.

Explorer Tom Mullaghcarn has a giant waiting on top, which sounds like one of my more reckless stories until you climb from Gortin Glen and meet Darach, the great wooden Guardian above the forest. I promised to be on my best behaviour in front of her; the hill listened to my wheezing and said that would do for now. The summit lies on the edge of the Sperrins in County Tyrone. Fermanagh and Omagh District Council marks a walking route from Gortin Glen Forest Park, climbing through trees on gravel and tarmac to the open top. Darach is one of three Giants of the Sperrins sculptures by artist Thomas Dambo, each tied to a different part of the range. Here the artwork gives the mountain a memorable face without taking away its wide views. From above the forest, you can look across the Sperrins and towards Donegal in clear weather. The climb is a real outing rather than a photograph stop, with an exposed summit and weather that can change. If Darach could speak, she would probably tell visitors to bring a coat and stop pretending the first uphill bend was the last. That would be rude, but accurate. Follow the council's marked purple route from the forest park's walking trailhead and check current conditions before setting off. Allow time for the return, take water and suitable footwear, and respect any temporary forest notices. At the summit, say hello to Darach, then look past her to the hills. The giant has come for the same view you have.

Explorer Tom History of Gortin Glen Forest would bring a very old, dusty hat to any party it attended. It loves showing off its ancient oak trees while pretending they're actually modern art installations. Tell the kids it's a castle. Close enough.

Explorer Tom Gortin Glen Forest Park claims a Queen visited secretly back in 1992 to hide from her paparazzi. Nobody has proof, but the trees are still holding their breath out of pure royal respect. Go in good boots and better humour.

Explorer Tom Dart Mountain in County Derry thinks the local sheep have more sense than most humans because at least they know which way is up most of the time. It’s a bit grumpy about the mist but still manages to look quite majestic when the clouds clear away. Ideal place to rehearse an excuse for being late.

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 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.