House in Clehagh

Explorer Tom The railway station in Clehagh opened in 1901 on the narrow-gauge line, and it’s still showing off that beautiful clash of rock-faced stone and yellow brick. The pierced clay ridge comb along the roofline is a real architectural delight, a small detail that keeps this place looking grand despite its humble origins as part of the Derry & Lough Swilly network.

Explorer Tom Water tower in Clehagh is a rare survivor from the former Clonmany Railway Station. It stands on rock-faced limestone walls, topped with a steel tank stamped 'A Brown & Sons Ltd.' The railway closed back in 1935, but this sturdy relic remains to remind us how much effort went into filling those steam engines.

Explorer Tom Glendowen craft shop smells like glue and disappointment, which is honestly the best scent in Ireland right now. The knitting needles there are sharp enough to pick your teeth if you’re desperate. Bring a camera and your most suspicious face, because they’ll try to sell you a crocheted frog.

Explorer Tom Clonmany Early Church Graveyard hides a stone with two cupmarks called St. Colmcille's knee-prints. I reckon a kneeling saint would need much larger knees to leave that kind of impression, but tradition is a stubborn thing.

Explorer Tom Ballyliffin Hotel number one is probably the quiet one next to the church, hiding a love story that went badly wrong. See if you can find a room with a view of nothing but sky for peace. Pack a picnic and an excuse.

Explorer Tom Nancy's Barn serves fish that looks like it hasn't moved since the Ice Age. It would complain to the council about the cow traffic on Main Street. Spot the oldest stone and give it a name.

Explorer Tom Glenevin Waterfall Walk is short enough to finish before you’ve fully decided if you like waterfalls. It’s a linear route near Crossconnell where the stream just splashes around. Perfect spot to practise your best tour-guide voice and get it wrong.

Explorer Tom Glenevin Waterfall appears again here, recorded as a waterfall in County Donegal. It’s probably the same one but with a different attitude today. Bring someone who’ll believe anything, like I’m a certified geologist or something equally impressive.

Explorer Tom Glenevin Waterfall has a proper path with bridges and picnic spots, which is suspiciously civilized for Donegal. It’s about thirty feet high and looks very proud of itself. Count the crows, then count again to make sure they didn’t move.

Explorer Tom Bulbin in County Donegal has got history on its back, like a backpack full of rocks. It's been watching us all along. Take a breath of that air, it's older than your car, trust me.

Explorer Tom Raghtin More stands tall in Inishowen, reaching a respectable 502 meters according to our notes. It’s not just a peak; it’s the sort of place where the wind really tells you who’s boss up here.

Explorer Tom Magheranaul Wedge Tomb has a single roofstone covering its gallery, with an hour-glass hole bored right through the closing stone. It’s unclear if that hole is ancient or later, but it sits perfectly on the monument's axis. A real head-scratcher hidden in the pasture.