Croaghnassaggart

Explorer Tom Staghall Mountain has a proper view captured for us, and it looks like a solid old friend standing up in County Donegal. I bet the air up there is crisp enough to make you sneeze before you even start climbing.

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 Mackoght would bring a bottle of cheap wine and a terrible joke to any party. It’s the life of the gathering, whether you like it or not. Take a mate and argue about what it was for, you’ll both be wrong but happy.

Explorer Tom Dunlewy Church (Tullaghobegly) is hiding from its own shadow under Errigal. James Russell died in 1848 and lies buried right under your feet, so tread lightly or he might grumble. It’s the kind of place that makes a dull Tuesday interesting.

Explorer Tom Dunlewey Church of Ireland is basically white marble gone grubby with lichen, supposedly built by a Jane Smith who clearly had taste. The ruins are still standing their ground against the Donegal weather. Practise your Irish on it, it won't correct you, but it might judge you.

Explorer Tom Glenveagh National Park is massive and moody, with Lough Veagh staring back at you like it knows all your secrets. The air smells of peat and ancient drama, perfect for feeling small in the face of nature’s indifference. Bring a coin for luck and keep it tightly in your pocket.

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 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 Wheel tree in County Donegal sounds like something from a sci-fi movie, but it's just a weird plant. It probably thinks it's rotating slowly. It might need permission to turn properly. Ask it which direction it's facing today.

Explorer Tom Errigal Youth Hostel in County Donegal is where dreams go to get squished under mattresses. It's cozy if you define cozy as 'crowded' and 'slightly damp'. Bring a notebook and write the bit I made up for your diary.

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.

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.