Craw Island

Explorer Tom Sessile Oak in County Donegal is being very serious about its roots and everything. It's probably been sitting there thinking deep thoughts for centuries. It might need permission to blink. Tell it to stop overthinking the whole thing.

Explorer Tom Glenveagh Bridge carries the road over the Owencarrow River on four arches, built around 1820. Cut stone forms the curves and coursed rubble forms the walls. It reached this valley before Glenveagh Castle; even bridges can be early arrivals.

Explorer Tom Glenveagh National Park Visitor Centre is where they hand you the keys to the kingdom of birches. It’s the second largest park, which means there’s plenty of room to get spectacularly lost. Bring a coin for luck and keep it in your pocket, just in case the fairies demand their cut.

Explorer Tom English holly in County Donegal is basically the punk rock star of the tree world. Sharp leaves, bright berries, and zero apologies for looking prickly. It probably thinks it's way too cool to join the other trees. Give it a pat on the bark if you dare!

Explorer Tom Glenveagh Castle's gardener's house was built around 1890 with a rare roof made of timber shingles. The garden got flowers, the house got a wooden haircut. I want to know which one took more looking after.

Explorer Tom Here lies a Walled Garden in the wilds of County Donegal, where the wind probably howls just to see if you're paying attention. I imagine it's a cozy little secret for customers seeking shelter from that famous Irish rain.

Explorer Tom Glenveagh Tea Room has donuts and bagels that have seen things no pastry should ever see in its life. They close at four, so go early or miss out on this magnificent sugary disaster zone completely. A proper spot for a flask of tea and a big think.

Explorer Tom Master Sword in Stone? Sounds like a budget video game prop that fell off a lorry. But hey, if it's stuck there, grab it for luck. Perfect detour when the satnav has a meltdown and gives up on us all.

Explorer Tom Gartan Ráth Cnó Turas 3 Cross is a bit of a ghost, with its arms barely visible on that rocky mound. It’s part of St Columba’s old pilgrimage route, and I picture the faithful shuffling around in prayer. It’s weathered into a whisper, but it’s still holding the line.

Explorer Tom This is *Gartan Ráth Cnó Turas 5 Cross*, the fifth station of a pilgrimage path where the arms are barely perceptible on its weathered face. It stands about 20m south of the graveyard, acting as a humble marker in the reputed birthplace of Colmcille, so take a moment to appreciate how much history is packed into such a small stone.

Explorer Tom Astelleen Burn Waterfall is a sloping torrent three kilometres from Glenveagh, named after a flood or deluge. Sounds dramatic, doesn’t it? Grand place for a sulk or a snog, your call, just don’t slip on the wet rocks.

Explorer Tom The Bridge of Tears carried more than traffic through Muckish Gap. Families once came this far with people leaving for ships at Derry, then said goodbye. The Irish words on a stone beside the bridge remember that parting. I would stop for the story, but keep clear of the road.