Glenties

Explorer Tom Campbells in Drumnasillagh is all stucco shopfront and pedimented canopies, looking like it’s ready for a Victorian photoshoot. Built around 1910, it’s got that fine detailing that just screams 'look at me.' It’s charming, but don’t let the fancy facade fool you.

Explorer Tom St. Connell's Museum and Heritage Centre lets me go from an old courtroom to the cells below, then into stories of the workhouse and Donegal railways. That is a lot of Glenties history packed into one building. I would leave the cells to the displays and keep my own visit on the friendly side of the door.

Explorer Tom Glenties Court House is flexing its mid-nineteenth-century muscles with those Greek-style doorcases and ashlar façade. It looks so serious and symmetrical, like it's about to hand down a verdict on your outfit. Go say hi and see if it grants you any royal audience privileges!

Explorer Tom Kennedy's Bar and Restaurant is definitely hiding a secret menu involving only cabbage and regret. I bet the barman knows more about ghosts than he does about cocktails, so keep your ears peeled for whispers while you eat.

Explorer Tom Highlands Hotel in County Donegal sounds like it’s on top of a mountain with no lift. If you see a view, describe it to me, but don’t mention the cold draft.

Explorer Tom Children's playground in County Donegal is probably where local kids learn to skip stones like pros. It’s a secret training ground for future rock throwers. A handy spot to stretch your legs and your wild imagination.

Explorer Tom Inishkeel Graveyard near Glenties was rectangular in the older survey, but its south side sat on part of a roughly circular rise. Some of that rise lay beyond the west wall, about fifty metres across. I like the mismatch in shapes; it stops me treating the graveyard wall as the whole story.

Explorer Tom Burial Ground in Kilrean Upper is stacked with layers of history that refuse to stay quiet. You’ve got 12th-century sandstone window heads and a cross-slab with swastika patterns sitting right next to modern graves. It’s a bit of a chaotic archaeological buffet, so keep your eyes peeled for the odd carvings.

Explorer Tom Letterilly Standing Stone is standing there all by itself, probably wondering why it didn't get invited to the more exciting stone circles nearby. It’s a lovely bit of quiet company if you need a moment to think about how old the ground really is. Just make sure you ask permission before you start having a chat with it.

Explorer Tom Another Wych Elm in County Donegal is having an identity crisis because all the others look the same. It's very sensitive about its bark texture. Permission slips are mandatory here. Give it a little pat on the head.

Explorer Tom Binn Bhán is recorded as a mountain / peak in County Donegal. It is hilarious that the ground goes from boggy to suddenly hard right at the top, like nature hit the brakes. I bet my boots would be utterly confused.

Explorer Tom Carnaween has Diarmuid Ó Duibhne hiding in its name, at least in the old local telling. There was even a first-Sunday-in-June climb in the record. I would ask the hero whether he liked hills this much, but I would check current access before trying to follow him.