Glack Mountain

Explorer Tom Glenveagh National Park Visitor Centre is where they hand you the keys to the kingdom of birches. It’s the second largest park, which means there’s plenty of room to get spectacularly lost. Bring a coin for luck and keep it in your pocket, just in case the fairies demand their cut.

Explorer Tom Children's playground in County Donegal is where kids go to test gravity and their parents' patience simultaneously. The swings probably tell ghost stories to anyone who sits still too long. Give it a pat on the way past, it's had a rough day.

Explorer Tom Glenveagh Bridge carries the road over the Owencarrow River on four arches, built around 1820. Cut stone forms the curves and coursed rubble forms the walls. It reached this valley before Glenveagh Castle; even bridges can be early arrivals.

Explorer Tom Owencarrow Bridge crosses the Owencarrow River in one stone arch, built around 1860 and possibly incorporating older fabric. The underside is gunnelled, and two splayed abutments flank the arch. I had to learn a new bridge word before I noticed the detail underneath.

Explorer Tom Sessile Oak in County Donegal is being very serious about its roots and everything. It's probably been sitting there thinking deep thoughts for centuries. It might need permission to blink. Tell it to stop overthinking the whole thing.

Explorer Tom The Bridge of Tears carried more than traffic through Muckish Gap. Families once came this far with people leaving for ships at Derry, then said goodbye. The Irish words on a stone beside the bridge remember that parting. I would stop for the story, but keep clear of the road.

Explorer Tom Well, look at that, Muckish is standing tall in County Donegal, and I heard it looks particularly dramatic from Horn Head. It’s a proper mountain with a bit of mystery to it, so let’s keep our eyes peeled for any hidden paths as we get closer.

Explorer Tom The cairn on top of Muckish Mountain was recorded as a flat-topped pile about eight metres across and 1.5 metres high. The survey says it may be of recent origin, but does not name its makers or its purpose. Even the mountain-top pile has managed to keep that bit to itself.

Explorer Tom Muckish Mountain Cairn is a 22-metre stone pile that practically shouts for attention from the mountain's lower edge. It’s got ruined walls trailing off into the mist, hiding whatever secrets it guards on top. I’d bet good money there’s more buried under those loose rocks than just wind and rain.

Explorer Tom English holly in County Donegal is basically the punk rock star of the tree world. Sharp leaves, bright berries, and zero apologies for looking prickly. It probably thinks it's way too cool to join the other trees. Give it a pat on the bark if you dare!

Explorer Tom Glenveagh Tea Room has donuts and bagels that have seen things no pastry should see. They're open till four, so go early or miss out entirely on this magnificent sugary disaster zone.

Explorer Tom Here lies a Walled Garden in the wilds of County Donegal, where the wind probably howls just to see if you're paying attention. I imagine it's a cozy little secret for customers seeking shelter from that famous Irish rain.