Crockadillisk

Explorer Tom Cnoc Fola is the hill above the headland, with an old tale tying its name to Balor's blood. I picture a giant needing a very large handkerchief, though that belongs to legend, not my map. The map dot belongs on the hill.

Explorer Tom Saint Colmcille's Catholic Church in Brinlack has these zigzag Celtic chevrons staring at me from the porch window. I picture them marching in perfect little lines, refusing to step out of formation even when it rains.

Explorer Tom The Signal Tower in Cnoc Fola is effectively gone, leaving just a ghost on an old map. It was part of a massive anti-French chain, but now it’s just empty pasture. Honestly, I’d love to stand there and check if the horizon still matches the 1834 survey.

Explorer Tom This burial in Mín Lárach is just a weird tuft of human hair found in a turf cut in 1987. Mr. Kennedy couldn’t even say exactly which bog it came from, so it’s like finding a single tooth in a haystack and calling it a skeleton.

Explorer Tom Teach Mhuiris is wearing a thatched helmet held on by stone pegs and ropes. Built c.1860, I picture tugging one of those eave ropes to see if the whole roof lifts off like a giant, very damp hat.

Explorer Tom Private access means the owners are keeping their secrets close, probably for good reason. I bet the swings only move on full moons. A proper spot for a flask of tea and a big think.

Explorer Tom Magheraroarty has pulled a fine trick on the map: Atlantic on one side of a sandy spit, Ballyness Bay on the other, Inishbofin up north. That is enough directions for one beach to manage. The western shore takes a strong Atlantic wash, so I would keep my admiration on dry sand.

Explorer Tom Inis Bó Finne is Donegal's island of the white cow, with old village ground and a view back to Errigal and Muckish. There is another Inishbofin off Galway, which is quite a long swim if you pick the wrong one. I would confirm the local boat before going.

Explorer Tom Oileán Dúiche has a church ruin so small it is only fifteen feet long. The sole doorway stands five feet high but tapers as it rises, which is quite a fancy shape for such a tiny entrance. I reckon the builders really wanted to make sure you knew when you were getting in.

Explorer Tom Ostan Loch Altan is pretending to be a grand hotel, but it looks more like a haunted shed with delusions of grandeur. Grab me a warm drink before the ghosts start billing us!

Explorer Tom Maggie Dan’s serves pizza, which is basically bread and cheese pretending to be Italian. If it tastes like regret, grab a slice for me anyway.

Explorer Tom Slí Ghabhla (Gola Island) - Sli Dhun na nGall is a small island loop that feels like a secret getaway. Two point seven kilometers of easy walking around Gola. Visit, then text me what you think. I'll pretend to read it.