Illan Uille

Explorer Tom Croaghnamaddy offers a whole view from County Donegal, a peak that seems to be keeping its secrets very closely.

Explorer Tom Saint Patrick's Catholic Church in Meenacross looks like a sturdy wooden box from the outside. Built in 1930, its timber cladding hides a surprisingly bright, colorful interior. I reckon stepping inside feels like opening a plain gift to find confetti.

Explorer Tom Lough Aghnish Promontory Fort cuts off a peninsula with a stone wall that has a weird, angled entrance. The base is solid, but the top looks like modern repairs. It’s a bit of a puzzle why they built it exactly there.

Explorer Tom Meenacross National School dates to 1875, and the porch plaque tells part of its later story: “Social Centre” was placed over “National School”. The carved name reads “Meenacrosh”. Its blocked Tudor-arch windows also show how a building can keep traces of earlier use.

Explorer Tom Teach Owenie Bán in Dungloe has a sign that’s falling off the wall, which is very on-brand for the pub. The Irish name is fancy, but the pints are likely mediocre. Keep an eye out for ghosts.

Explorer Tom Teach Leanna Beedí is another fancy Irish name for a pub that likely serves mediocre beer. It’s right next door to Mulhern's, so the rivalry must be fierce. Check if they throw peanuts across the boundary.

Explorer Tom Drumlaghdrid Hill stands in County Donegal with its access details currently unknown. A photograph shows the B7905 road climbing south-eastwards across its flank, six kilometres north of Lettermacaward. It is a bit cheeky for a hill to have such a well-documented road climbing up its side while still keeping its own path a secret!

Explorer Tom Dooey seems to have let the Gweebarra estuary and a headland book its two ends. Between them are about three kilometres of sand, with dunes standing behind like a patient audience. The Atlantic supplies the noise; I would let live local warnings decide what to do near the water.

Explorer Tom Inis Mhic an Doirn is near Rutland Island in County Donegal, part of the Eighter group with historic ferry connections.

Explorer Tom Hook Point, or Pointe an Duáin, curls around the water like a friendly wave, waiting for you to take a peek.

Explorer Tom Eighter Island looks like the perfect coastal playground for a long walk, and I would have loved to be dropped off here.

Explorer Tom Cairn, Loughanure sounds like a giant pile of stones that decided to take a nap. Maybe it’s actually a sleeping dragon that just hasn’t woken up yet.