House in Meenagory

Explorer Tom Stragill Beach in County Donegal ended up in this specific spot because it took a wrong turn at Buncrana and was too stubborn to admit its mistake. It’s been pretending ever since that this is exactly where it always wanted to be, despite the traffic. Whisper a secret at it, it's kept worse.

Explorer Tom Mass rock in Tullyarvan has an earworm for 'The Lord's My Shepherd' because it likes the part where the wolves are kept away. It stood in the rain for centuries so people could pray, and now it just enjoys watching the sheep do most of the work. Boop its nose gently.

Explorer Tom Cockhill Bridge sports little crenellated parapet tops that look like a very grumpy knight’s helmet. I picture a tiny jester riding a goat across the tarmac, trying to tickle the bridge’s stone nose without waking it up.

Explorer Tom Tullyarvan Mill Hostel on Mill Lane smells like damp socks and ancient secrets from the old millstone. It includes a crafts shop where you can buy souvenirs of your own exhaustion. Bring a flask and pretend you own the place.

Explorer Tom Ballyannan Portal Tomb is perched on Aghaweel Hill, offering a sprawling view across Lough Swilly to the Fanad mountains. It’s been standing in this exact roofless condition since at least 1846, so it’s got plenty of time to collect stories. The two tall portal stones are like ancient doorkeepers who never quite locked up.

Explorer Tom Ned's Point Standing Stones are named after someone called Ned, which instantly makes me picture him sitting on one while checking his fishing line. It’s the sort of name that begs for a story about who was actually there and what they were up to. I’d love to know if Ned ever complained about the rocks being cold in December.

Explorer Tom Neds Point Fort is recorded as a fort in County Donegal, and its name suggests a specific point of land that was likely important for defense or trade. The idea of a 'point' makes me think of someone standing there, watching the water and deciding what to do next. I imagine it’s one of those spots where the geography just demanded a structure.

Explorer Tom O'Doherty's Keep sits stubbornly by the Crana River, a 15th-century tower house that survived the 1608 revolt. Henry Vaughan rebuilt it with an English parapet in 1611, but you can still see the original murder hole. It’s a proper maze of stairs and windows.

Explorer Tom Ubiquitous in Buncrana claims to be everywhere at once, which is either impressive or terrifyingly efficient. I’d check if you’re still yourself when you leave that place. Bring a coin for luck and keep it in your pocket.

Explorer Tom Bulbin has a monument from 1933 that’s taller than most humans, which makes for some very awkward photo opportunities on the summit. The drama between this hill and the nearest tree is legendary; they’ve been fighting over sunlight since the ice age. Take the long way round, it deserves the effort of your legs.

Explorer Tom Dunree Centre is one building in the Fort Dunree grounds, where the fort's story takes six exhibition chapters to tell. I would give them proper time: a place that has watched over Lough Swilly for so long deserves more than a quick look at the view.

Explorer Tom Dunree Head is always having a rivalry with more famous places further south, convinced it’s actually cooler because it gets to see the sunset first without all the crowds getting in its way. It doesn’t need your approval, but it does appreciate when you show up just as the light starts to get golden and dramatic. Go at sunset and thank me later.