Crocknasmug

Explorer Tom Claggan Bridge was built around 1800 with one large arch over the River Dooalt. Its stone parapets step outward at both ends. I would need to draw it from above to show the trick properly; the river only gets to see the arch.

Explorer Tom Michael John’s Pub has two first names, so it’s basically a committee. Ask Michael who John is. He’ll probably say he’s his brother. Suspicious.

Explorer Tom Inishowen Head’s cliffs guard the edge of the world, but remember that a public photo doesn’t mean free entry.

Explorer Tom Inishowen Signal Station had a phone, a flag machine, and a Morse code keyboard! I bet the watchman spent his whole shift tapping messages about boring things like passing boats. It must have been lonely shouting 'hello' at the empty sea!

Explorer Tom Stroove Beach has two lighthouses for neighbours, which is a lot of competition for a small shore. The sand is the reason for this stop, not the towers. I might ask the towers to mind my place while I take my litter home, as Donegal tourism asks visitors to do.

Explorer Tom Port a Dorais features a natural rock arch door under Inishowen Head, about one and a half kilometres from Stroove beach.

Explorer Tom White Strand near Lough Foyle offers a pale, quiet corner where the gentle waters meet the shoreline.

Explorer Tom Dunagree Point carries the twin granite towers of Inishowen Lighthouse. The lighthouse account says its rear tower was raised by 7.6 metres to improve visibility on Lough Foyle. I can almost hear the headland saying, “I stayed put while the tower did the stretching.”

Explorer Tom Greencastle Martello Fort was built to stop Napoleon from wading in. I can’t help but imagine him slipping on a wet rock and sliding all the way down to Derry with his hat flying off.

Explorer Tom Greencastle was built in 1305 to hold down the North West. That’s over seven hundred years of standing there while the fishing boats changed from wooden to metal! I bet it’s still listening for the clank of old swords.

Explorer Tom Crockaulin offers a lonely triangulation pillar that stares down at Greencastle from a dizzying height. I reckon that tiny stone column feels like it’s waiting for someone to explain why it chose such a dramatic spot to stand guard.