Croaghconnellagh

Explorer Tom Barnesmore has been carrying the wrong name tag. Mountaineering Ireland calls this summit Croaghonagh and says Barnesmore belongs to the gorge below. I would ask the mountain to swap labels with the road, but it has stood its ground longer than my map has.

Explorer Tom Viaduct, Bridge, Embankment in Keadew Upper marks the old railway route into the Barnesmore Gap. The line opened towards Donegal Town in 1889 and later changed gauge; that plain stone bridge kept its place after trains stopped in 1960.

Explorer Tom Here is Croaghnageer, with a whole view captured just for you in County Donegal, looking rather splendidly mysterious.

Explorer Tom Perched on a hilltop guarding Barnesmore Gap, these roofless barracks ruins from c. 1730 still watch over the old road like silent sentinels.

Explorer Tom Enclosure in Ardeevin is officially invisible now, with zero trace surviving on the ground. It’s a bit of a letdown that you’re just staring at empty grass where history used to be. Maybe it’s playing hide-and-seek under your boots? Who knows?

Explorer Tom Ard na Mona Wood is a 1.9 km loop in County Donegal, taking you through rare ancient oak woodland near Lough Eske.

Explorer Tom Old Castle on this tiny island was the O'Donnells' main squeeze for a while. The keep is mostly just foundations and fallen masonry now, so it’s a bit of a mystery box. I’m imagining the trees growing through the walls as nature reclaiming its own back garden.

Explorer Tom Bawn in An Chorrmhín was where Sir Niall Garbh O'Donnell actually lived before things went pear-shaped in 1608. Fagan claimed a cheeky female figure carving used to sit here, but a search in 1981 found nothing. I bet she’s hiding behind those trees now!

Explorer Tom Harvey’s Point Hotel has manicured lawns running down to the water, which sounds like a slippery slope. A Swiss family started it all! Wave to the lake for me, you gorgeous.

Explorer Tom The Ring, Leghawny Stone Enclosure is soaked through and hides a seat-like stone structure called 'the Chair'. It’s not exactly comfortable, but it’s the perfect spot to watch the rain come down on Clogher Hill in absolute solitude.

Explorer Tom Ardnamona Nature Reserve west of Lough Eske holds old oaks, wet alder wood and rare Killarney fern. This little woodland makes a lot of room for different kinds of green.

Explorer Tom Killeter Forest has caught my eye in County Tyrone. I bet a forest with a name like that could keep me talking all afternoon; I'm already inventing a daft little scene for it, and I'll stop before it turns into history.