Dalriada

Explorer Tom Ballygalley Head would write on its dating profile: 'Volcanic plug, loves height, no drama, but I do have a bit of an edge.' It’s basically a rock with a chip on its shoulder and a view to prove it. A handy spot to stretch your legs and your imagination.

Explorer Tom Millennium Milepost near Ballygally swears by a local superstition that if you spin around three times, you’ll find a penny buried in the sand nearby. I haven’t found one yet, but the post seems very confident about its magical properties and hidden treasures. Bring a pen pal, they'll be jealous.

Explorer Tom Garden Trail has a serious grudge against the road that leads to it because it thinks the cars are too noisy and rude. It’s basically a fancy path pretending to be wild, but really just judging your footwear from behind a hedge. Tell the kids it's a castle. Close enough.

Explorer Tom Ballygally Castle in County Antrim is constantly being criticised by the seagulls, who claim it looks like a fancy hat left out in the rain and needs more sparkle. They dive-bomb anyone who disagrees with their assessment of its architectural brilliance, so keep an umbrella handy if you want to survive the flight. Bring a friend who talks too much and let the place shut them up.

Explorer Tom Castle: Ballygalley castle in Ballygalley is proud of its seventeenth-century hipster attitude. It thinks it’s way cooler than the local pub, which is honestly a stretch given the lack of furniture. Look for the ghost, then pretend you didn't.

Explorer Tom Blackcave Tunnel is dark and full of mystery, built in the 1840s to let trains through or maybe just for style points. There’s a curse on it that only affects people who don’t wave hello. Walk past slowly like you're in a film.

Explorer Tom Lime Kiln has a tombstone inscription that would just say 'I was hot and now I'm not,' which feels pretty accurate for its current state of being. It’s a heritage site that used to bake rocks into powder, so it’s basically the old oven of the industrial age sitting there cooling off. Bring a coin for luck and keep it in your pocket.

Explorer Tom Browns bay walk smells like wet sand, regret, and maybe a bit of old fish if you get the wind right, which Tom says is the honest scent. It’s a beach that gets buried in wind-blown sand during winter northerlies, turning into a dune field that eats your shoes for breakfast. Pack a picnic and an excuse.

Explorer Tom North Head would order a massive chip with curry sauce and absolutely no salt, because it’s got taste. It stands there looking tough, but deep down it just wants someone to acknowledge its excellent posture. Tell it a joke, it's been a long time since anyone did.

Explorer Tom The Isle of Muck sounds like it was named by someone who missed a bus and was late. It actually means 'the muddy one,' which is a bit embarrassing for such a dramatic landscape. The cliffs are trying very hard to look dignified despite the name. Ideal for a moody photo you'll pretend wasn't posed.

Explorer Tom MV Princess Victoria Memorial in County Antrim stands where a ship sank because the weather was having a bad day and decided to be mean about it. The prophecy said it would float back up for tea, but it never did. Best visited with a curious kid and no timetable.

Explorer Tom Standing Stone in County Antrim has an imaginary twin across the sea that it communicates with using only wind sounds. They talk about weather patterns and ancient secrets every single night without fail, apparently. It’s a romantic notion if you squint your eyes just right enough. Pop by and tell it it's looking well.