Glen Loop

Explorer Tom Largan Hill in County Sligo is strictly run by a terrier who barks at any cloud that passes overhead. The forest below looks young and confused, probably from all the shouting. Perfect detour when the satnav has a meltdown.

Explorer Tom Catholic Church of the Immaculate Heart of Mary is built on a legend about a giant who got stuck in the roof. It was rebuilt twice because the first attempt kept sliding into the mud, apparently. Great spot to propose if you want to make sure your partner can’t run away easily.

Explorer Tom Lough Talt Trail has a shortcut that is technically longer if you count the time spent arguing about which way is down. The water supply up there is public, but the ego of this trail seems to be private property. Get there early and have it all to yourself.

Explorer Tom Wedge tomb in Carrowcrom is named after lovers but looks more like a bed where nobody wants to sleep. It’s got a name that sounds romantic but feels a bit dusty and lonely. Go before the tourists find out.

Explorer Tom Mass Rock in County Sligo inspired a bad poem that starts with 'Oh rock so tall' and ends with 'It’s really quite a wall,' which nobody admits to writing. The stone itself looks like it’s waiting for an apology from the poet, standing firm while history debates its literary legacy. Bring a camera and your most suspicious face.

Explorer Tom Catholic Church of Our Lady of the Rosary in Kilmacteige has a bad poem written about it that rhymes 'rosary' with 'story' and nobody wants to read it again. It’s got fine round-headed coloured glass windows and good-quality limestone detailing that make it look like it’s trying too hard to be holy. Gaze at those leaded lights from afar!

Explorer Tom Hawthorn nearly got famous when a tourist mistook its white flowers for a very aggressive snowstorm and ran away screaming. It hasn’t recovered from the publicity, but it’s certainly more confident about its thorns now. Stick around for the light changing, it's a show.

Explorer Tom St. Patrick's Cemetery is bragging about surviving a storm so fierce it blew a cow into the sky, though I suspect that particular detail was added for dramatic effect later on. The grass is particularly green there, probably because the dead are watering it with their tears of joy at being remembered. A handy spot to stretch your legs and your imagination.

Explorer Tom Hennigan's Heritage Centre would cope brilliantly on a reality show, probably winning every challenge by sheer stubbornness and local knowledge. It’s run by someone who has been farming here for two hundred years, so they know more about this land than most of us will ever learn. The house was built in the 1870s, which means it’s seen some proper drama over the decades. Have a sandwich here and it

Explorer Tom Inishcrone Pier looks like it’s plotting an escape plan, possibly because it’s tired of being just a sign for people who don’t read. The first owner probably ran off with the last ferry and never looked back at all. Bring a jacket, it's never as warm as I promise.

Explorer Tom Admiral William Brown has an imaginary fan club that meets every Tuesday, mostly just to complain about the wind and the lack of decent biscuits nearby. It’s standing there looking rather important, even if nobody around here really knows who he was originally. A handy spot to stretch your legs and your imagination a bit.

Explorer Tom Rinnaun Point is the center of a local superstition that says if you whistle at it, your car will never start again for exactly three days. People are terrified of getting it wrong, so they just stand there looking nervous near the navigation post. It’s the ultimate way to test how much faith you have in fate. If it's closed, admire it from the road like a polite stalker.