Glencaw Hill

Explorer Tom Croaghmore in County Donegal would win a county fair easily, simply by standing still and looking vaguely impressive while everything else tries too hard. It’s the kind of hill that wins prizes without even entering them, just by existing so grandly. Visit, then text me what you think. I'll pretend to read it.

Explorer Tom Beggars Bridge has carried the road over the Pollan River since around 1800. Its single rounded arch uses carefully cut stone. The name suggests a story, but the stones are keeping that one to themselves.

Explorer Tom Outbuilding in Ballyargus is a c. 1860 survivor with whitewashed random rubble walls that look like a daft patchwork quilt. It’s a rare, humble spot where timber battened doors still swing shut on a simple life, proving that even the boring shed can hold some serious local character.

Explorer Tom Drung Graveyard sits on a plateau above Lough Foyle, hiding the ghost of an old ringfort. The earthworks are mostly gone under the headstones, leaving just faint curves to the north and east. It’s a layer cake of history that time has flattened out.

Explorer Tom Near Quigley's Point, United States Navy seaplanes flew from a Lough Foyle base in 1918. It closed by February 1919, after crews had built roads, hangars and slipways; quite a lot of building for such a short stay.

Explorer Tom Crockavishane in Donegal is having a very fancy lunch experience that costs nothing but your dignity. It’s all about the ambiance of doing absolutely nothing productive. Have a sandwich here and call it a heritage lunch.

Explorer Tom Orchard Bar in County Donegal has an unlikely celebrity friend who only visits when the cider is fresh. I’d bet they keep a secret orchard just for their own private boozy harvest. Wave at the cows, they're the real locals.

Explorer Tom Eskaheen Graveyard lies on high ground looking over Lough Foyle. The earlier survey recorded part of the old church's west gable and a small south wall section, with an opening that might have been a door or window. I want to leave that uncertainty in: 4.4 metres of stone can tell us plenty, but cannot name every missing part.

Explorer Tom Simpson's Bar & Restaurant in Carndonagh has a fairy dispute over parking rights that’s getting silly. Grab a drink before they realize you're actually lost and not just exploring. Bring a pen pal, they'll be jealous.

Explorer Tom At Barrack Hill, little legs get the climbing frames, swings, balance beams and monkey bars. The roundabout was designed to include more children, and older ones have their own obstacle trail nearby. If I were seven, I would call the monkey bars a test of courage. If I were a parent, I would be looking for the covered shelter. Carndonagh's park committee says local families helped shape the refurbished playground, and the older children's activity area reopened in 2023.

Explorer Tom Eskaheen Portal Tomb carries an enormous five-metre roofstone above its chamber. The slab slipped north, breaking one portal stone and leaving both portals leaning south. Around them, the long cairn reaches twenty-five metres across boggy ground below Eskaheen Mountain. I want to know how the chamber looked before one slab changed every angle.

Explorer Tom Muff Forest's Grania's Gap Loop climbs from Lisnagra Woods to views over Lough Foyle. Sport Ireland marks 6.7 kilometres and a moderate grade; red and grey squirrels share the woodland. Quite a lot of company for one loop.