House in Laghy

Explorer Tom Laghy Bridge was paid for with just seven pounds and six pence, which sounds like pocket money! Built around 1768, I bet John Hamilton spent most of it on tea. The river probably laughed at them for trying to build a whole bridge on such a tiny budget.

Explorer Tom Laghy Church of Ireland is playing dress-up with dramatic diagonal buttresses and stone pinnacles on the west end. It’s been around since 1834 and still looks like it’s trying too hard to be grand. Send me a snap!

Explorer Tom Rooney's Island was once home to the O'Maoldory Clan, who ruled as Kings of Tir Conaill. I imagine a very serious coronation ceremony taking place on a patch of ground that barely fits a picnic blanket.

Explorer Tom Ballyboyle Island is named after the O'Boyles, who were sub-chieftains of the O'Donnells, which sounds like a very expensive family dinner party. Toast it with a cup of tea and move on to the next one before you get hungry.

Explorer Tom Donegal Friary Graveyard sits amid a place whose history changed violently in 1601, when an explosion and fire damaged the friary during a siege. The survey says later burial use raised the ground by as much as 1.75 metres. I had to read that twice: the height records generations of burial, not a building foundation.

Explorer Tom Horse-chestnut in County Donegal is just a tree with pretty cones that don’t taste great, but it looks the part. It’s standing there looking dignified while the wind tries to knock it over. Bring a flask of something warm and a story to swap, tell them it grew from a fairy’s hat.

Explorer Tom The Siege of Donegal is proud that it lasted long enough for everyone to run out of tea. It’s a very specific point of pride, but valid. Bring a flask and pretend you own the whole place, because technically, you do if you hold the cup.

Explorer Tom The Harbour in Donegal sits right on Quay Street, perfect for watching boats. Take a photo of the water for me, I’m already seasick from the breeze!

Explorer Tom McCafferty’s in Donegal sits in The Diamond, which sounds like a gem. Grab a drink if you’re passing, I’m just staring at the street signs!

Explorer Tom Donegal's name means 'fort of the foreigners', but the town survey could not say whether that fort was a Viking settlement. Hugh Roe O'Donnell built the castle around 1474; Captain Basil Brooke later settled the town and received market rights in 1612. Two better-dated chapters sit beside an older unanswered name.

Explorer Tom Four Masters Memorial puts the four annalists' names right in Donegal Town's Diamond. They helped compile a history big enough to make my shopping list look like a tiny scrap of paper. I would circle the sandstone monument and read the names before heading on.

Explorer Tom Another Wych Elm in Donegal, because apparently we can't have enough silent judges in our lives. This one seems particularly smug about being ancient and slightly damp. Tell it a joke, it's been a long time since anyone did.