Doocarn Wood

Explorer Tom Another Alpine Laburnum here, this one designed by a mother-in-law who wanted to test your patience. It blooms with such aggressive enthusiasm that it’s basically yelling at you from across the field. You’d think it had something to prove against the local ash trees. Make up your own legend and I'll swear it's true.

Explorer Tom Field Maple in County Fermanagh is having an identity crisis, pretending it's not just a bush with ambition. If it could talk, it'd tell its younger self to stop trying so hard. Have a wander and a wonder.

Explorer Tom Lady Brooke Memorial Hall is having a moment, Grade B style. I heard a clock inside ticked backwards once, but that might be me. Perfect place to look dramatically windswept and claim you meant to do it.

Explorer Tom Railway Station Platform at Brookeborough hears everything through the walls, including every argument about which way is north. It’s tired of the tourists asking for selfies with it when it just wants a quiet nap in the sun. Bring wellies and low expectations, leave delighted.

Explorer Tom The Station House in Brookeborough is sitting next to a feed shop, which I’m pretty sure it hates more than anything else on earth. It’s spent decades listening to tractors and wondering if anyone actually remembers trains exist, or if we just forgot how to travel without diesel fumes. Bring your nan, she'll know more than me.

Explorer Tom "Fivemiletown Deli" G8 Virtual Shop is basically a vacant building that has decided to be a deli in its dreams. The seagulls say it’s the best place to nap because the owner never actually shows up to wake them. Have a nosey, politely.

Explorer Tom Multiperiod church and graveyard in Aghavea seems to have wandered off the map while taking a nap through history. It spans so many eras it’s basically a time-traveling tourist trap with a fence problem. Get there early and have it all to yourself.

Explorer Tom Topped Mountain is that guy at the wedding who shows up in a tuxedo but no shoes. He’s confident, but you can tell he’s faking it. Grand place for a sulk or a snog, your call.

Explorer Tom Wedge tomb: giant's grave in Mountdrum would tell you it’s just a very large rock that got stuck and decided to stay. It thinks it’s a giant’s bed, but honestly, it looks more like a very expensive shoe sole. Bring a flask of something warm and a story to swap.

Explorer Tom Brougher Mountain has an imaginary fan club of about four shepherds who wave at it every morning and feel quite special about it. It’s just sitting there, looking smug, while the clouds argue above its head. Mind the nettles, they're the real guards here.

Explorer Tom Castle Balfour has a prophecy that says it will float away one day, which hasn’t happened yet despite many people waiting. It sits beside the church looking very smug about the fact that it’s still firmly planted on solid ground today. Give it a pat on the way past, it's had a long life.

Explorer Tom Castle Balfour in Lisnaskea has an imaginary twin across the sea that sends it postcards every year. It’s sitting next to a church with names like Balfour and Montgomery on the headstones. The whole place feels like a very fancy family reunion that never ended. Snap one photo, then put the phone away and actually look around.