Croaghpatrick

Explorer Tom Cairn, Loughanure is a place where the name suggests a connection to water and perhaps a specific local story. I imagine it’s one of those spots that has been part of the landscape for a long time, maybe used by people who lived nearby. It’s a name that makes you think about how places get their names.

Explorer Tom Coláiste Mhuire in Loughanure was built between 1936 and 1938 as a nine-bay, H-shaped technical school. Its entrance panel reads 'Ceárd Scoil'. I thought the H belonged on a chalkboard; this low, flat-roofed building drew it at full size.

Explorer Tom Ionad Teampeall Chróine is a cruciform-plan church from c. 1855-6 that’s now trading its pews for library shelves and heritage displays. It was built by local parishioners who literally raised the stones themselves, which is a level of dedication that really sets it apart. Now that it’s a tourist office, you can peek inside and see how they managed to keep those Celtic cross finials looking so sharp despite the change of use.

Explorer Tom Teach Owenie Bán in Dungloe has a sign that’s falling off the wall, which is very on-brand for the pub. The Irish name is fancy, but the pints are likely mediocre. Keep an eye out for ghosts.

Explorer Tom Mulhern’s Corner Bar sits right on Lower Main Street, looking down its nose at everyone else. The corner is probably sharp enough to cut your cheek. Ask if they have any stories about the wall.

Explorer Tom Annagary Hill. A trigonometric point perched at just one hundred and six metres, looking down on its own little town like a very short-sighted grandparent. I reckon the view is mostly rooftops and a bit of sky.

Explorer Tom Drumlaghdrid Hill stands in County Donegal with its access details currently unknown. A photograph shows the B7905 road climbing south-eastwards across its flank, six kilometres north of Lettermacaward. It is a bit cheeky for a hill to have such a well-documented road climbing up its side while still keeping its own path a secret!

Explorer Tom Cairn, Coolvoy, Doochary is a name that sounds like it belongs to a place with a lot of local history and stories. I imagine it’s one of those spots where the ground has been used by people for a very long time, maybe for marking boundaries or gathering. It’s a name that makes you curious about what went on there.

Explorer Tom Braade Strand is where the water gets behind you, which is a great metaphor for your student loans. It’s wild, untamed, and probably colder than your ex's heart. Bring a jacket, it's never as warm as I promise.

Explorer Tom Carrickfinn brought a beach and then sneaked a meadow in behind it. Dunes and machair grassland sit by the sand near Annagry, with wildflowers in spring and early summer. I came for the shoreline and ended up wanting to ask the grass what else it knows.

Explorer Tom Inis Mhic an Doirn has that 'don't touch' energy radiating off it like Wi-Fi. There’s a derelict building nearby that looks haunted by bad decisions. Mind the nettles, they're the real guards here and they bite back.

Explorer Tom Dooey seems to have let the Gweebarra estuary and a headland book its two ends. Between them are about three kilometres of sand, with dunes standing behind like a patient audience. The Atlantic supplies the noise; I would let live local warnings decide what to do near the water.