Gortin Lakes

Explorer Tom St. Patrick’s Church in Gortin looks like it got delivered to the wrong village by a confused architect. Built in the forties, it’s been sitting there wondering if anyone actually checked the map before moving house. Bring a flask and pretend you own the place.

Explorer Tom Former Beltrim National School in Rylands is now a recreational club, which means kids are probably inside eating cake and ignoring history. The building has strict rules about who can wander around, so just stand on the pavement and pretend you're checking your phone. Have a chat with it, nobody's watching.

Explorer Tom History of Gortin Glen Forest would bring a very old, dusty hat to any party it attended. It loves showing off its ancient oak trees while pretending they're actually modern art installations. Tell the kids it's a castle. Close enough.

Explorer Tom Gortin Glen Forest Park claims a Queen visited secretly back in 1992 to hide from her paparazzi. Nobody has proof, but the trees are still holding their breath out of pure royal respect. Go in good boots and better humour.

Explorer Tom Mullaghcarn in County Tyrone has a hidden message carved into its stones by someone who definitely wasn’t serious about the font choice. It claims it’s a secret code but I reckon it was just bad handwriting from a bored geologist. Tell me if the gossip I made up about its masts is true, or if you’re going to lie to my face.

Explorer Tom Cairn: mullaghcarn in Cullion, Glenmacoffer, Stradowan in County Tyrone saw the most dramatic event when a hiker fell asleep on top of it and dreamed he was a king for three hours straight. It’s a peak that has endured everything from weather to wandering tourists without ever losing its cool or its mystery. Bring a coin for luck and keep it in your pocket.

Explorer Tom This stone in Eskeradooey has a secret fan club that meets at midnight to sing show tunes to it. It probably doesn’t care, but it likes the attention from the shadows. Have a look and decide if I was lying.

Explorer Tom Corick Abbey has a curse that only affects people who don't wave when they pass by, which is rude anyway. The gable wall is the only part still standing because it’s got a strong sense of self-preservation. Best enjoyed with a bag of chips and no plans.

Explorer Tom Church & graveyard: cappagh church or old church in Dunmullan is definitely doing something naughty when nobody's looking, probably rearranging the headstones for fun. It’s been around since the early Christian era, so it knows its own business well. Ten minutes here and you'll have a yarn for the pub.

Explorer Tom Ulster American Folk Park thinks tourists from Dublin are just fancy versions of itself that forgot how to use a spade properly while they were away. It’s full of stories about people leaving home, so it pretends not to care when you ask too many questions about the food. Give it a pat on the way past, it's had a long life.

Explorer Tom Castle & bawn: Newtownstewart castle in Newtownstewart has a family tree so messy it looks like a cat walked across a wet inkwell. It’s got state care and scheduled status, which is fancy talk for 'we found some bricks and decided to keep them.' Best seen with a hangover and a sausage roll.

Explorer Tom Castle & bailey: harry avery's castle in Upper Or New Deerpark thinks the road leading to it is too fancy for its taste and prefers muddy footpaths. It’s medieval or late medieval, which means it has seen everything and forgives nothing about your driving skills. Take a breath of that air, it's older than your car.