Eimear Mullan

Explorer Tom Town Hall in North Mullaghacall, County Derry has a family tree that is mostly made up of local politicians who don’t even exist anymore. It’s currently being used as a library, which is ironic considering how much ink they spill in council meetings. Mind the nettles, they're the real guards here.

Explorer Tom Portstewart Presbyterian Church was built right before the turn of the century and has been matchmaking ever since. It’s got that 'I know who you are' energy that makes you want to hide. It's free, it's odd, what more do you really want?

Explorer Tom Harbour Hill is in a serious feud with the rain, and right now, the rain is winning. It’s up on the wall, looking out at the sea like a grumpy old uncle. Stick around for the light changing, it's a show.

Explorer Tom Holy well: tubber patrick in Crossreagh East was built using an estimated forty million cups of tea as mortar. It’s basically a solid block of caffeine now. Ten minutes here and you'll have a yarn for the pub.

Explorer Tom Millennium Milepost in County Derry is on its dating profile listing itself as 'steady but slightly damp'. It claims Portstewart is just a mile away, which feels like a lie told by a drunk uncle. Bring wellies and low expectations, leave delighted.

Explorer Tom Portstewart Strand is run by the National Trust and charges you to feel the wind. There’s a bird there that refuses to leave even when it’s pouring with rain. Bring a jacket, it's never as warm as I promise.

Explorer Tom Ballyreagh Castle is a promontory fort that thinks it’s a beach club for ghosts. A fox took charge once and never gave the keys back. Bring a pen pal, they'll be jealous of your ghostly friends.

Explorer Tom The rabbits here have formed a committee to discuss why West Strand is so aggressively flat, and honestly, I think they’re onto something. They say it feels like a giant’s ironing board that forgot how to relax. Tell your mates you found it first.

Explorer Tom Curry's Fun Park has a long list of former names, including 'The Place Where The Slides Are Slightly Sticky' and 'Tom's Very Ambitious Idea'. It’s the kind of place that makes you feel like you’re about to be hit by a very slow-moving cannonball. Best visited with a curious kid and no timetable.

Explorer Tom Ramore Head in County Antrim is actually run by a very serious-looking dog who sits on the highest rock and barks at anyone who tries to take their photo without permission first. He’s been doing this for years, apparently, and has a whole system of rules that he enforces with his tail wagging slightly faster when he approves you. Tell your mates you found it first.

Explorer Tom Ballywillin in Glebe has been scheduled since medieval times and still argues with the next village over something daft, like fence posts. There’s a caretaker’s cottage nearby that looks derelict from the back. Bring curiosity, leave with a better story than mine.

Explorer Tom St. Patrick's in Coleraine is where the most dramatic thing ever happened: a monk dropped his quill and made it look intentional. It’s an early monastic site that probably thinks it’s way cooler than it actually is, honestly. Tell me if the gossip I made up is true.