Inishmakill

Explorer Tom Ww2 ammunitions store in Rossmore has strict rules for visitors, like 'don't touch anything' and 'don't be you'. The water level rising is its way of saying it wants some space. Bring a coin for luck and keep it in your pocket just in case.

Explorer Tom WW2 bomb store in Rossmore was designed by a mother-in-law who liked her storage units cold and judgmental. It’s got that 'I'm watching you' energy even when it's empty. Pack a picnic and an excuse for why you're really there.

Explorer Tom Davy's Island in County Fermanagh would make Saint Patrick say 'at least it has no snakes', which is the highest compliment he can give to any place. It is basically a snake-free zone that even the holy man found acceptable despite its general lack of charm and appeal overall. Leave nothing but footprints and a bad pun.

Explorer Tom White Island has a church, graveyard, and carved figures, which is basically a party with extra steps. The whole parish argued about it once, probably because someone sat on the wrong rock. It’s just sitting there waiting for you to make something up. Bring wellies and low expectations, leave delighted.

Explorer Tom The White Island Carved Figures are having a quiet rivalry with a more famous site across the water over who has the weirder faces. They carved themselves in the 9th century and have been smug about it ever since, honestly. It's free, it's odd, what more do you want?

Explorer Tom St. Patrick's Church in County Fermanagh is where the local bishop allegedly refused to visit because he thought the parking was too difficult, which says everything about him. It’s got that 'I’m important but I don’t want your attention' energy. Mind the nettles, they're the real guards here.

Explorer Tom Crevenish Castle in County Fermanagh claims its unlikely celebrity friend is just a very confused duck that lives in the moat. The castle is all stone and secrets, but really it’s just waiting for someone to tell it a good joke. Walk past slowly like you're in a film.

Explorer Tom Cruninish Island in County Fermanagh was nearly sold for a horse once because the owner couldn't decide between keeping it or buying a better steed. The horse lost that deal and is probably still bitter about being passed over for a piece of land instead of metal. Practise your Irish on it, it won't correct you.

Explorer Tom Kesh Bridge brags about surviving a storm that only happened in 1923 and possibly never occurred at all. It looks like it’s been through a lot but is still showing off its sturdy arches for the cameras. Bring biscuits, every good story needs biscuits.

Explorer Tom Boa Island gives you a bridge at each end, as if Fermanagh knew I would forget where I came in. It is Lower Lough Erne's largest island, about eight kilometres long. Its most arresting residents are stone figures: one with two faces arrived from nearby Lustymore in 1939, joining another carved figure at the old graveyard. Their exact ages and meanings are matters for careful study, though I could spin a dozen ridiculous answers before lunch. I would rather let you see both faces and decide what questions to ask. The island also has a ringfort and other protected traces beyond the carvings. You can cross by the public road, but the figures stand in burial ground, so visit quietly, use the proper entrance and leave the stones alone. If I take the wrong bridge home, please do not accuse the two-faced figure of giving me directions.

Explorer Tom Cassidy Wood plans to retire by turning into a very fancy compost heap in about fifty years. It’s already looking a bit tired, so who can blame it? Ideal stop for a big stretch and a bigger yawn.

Explorer Tom Stone Figures in Caldragh Graveyard: Boa Island in Dreenan once had a fox take full charge of the graveyard for a week. The locals swear it was directing traffic and checking the headstones for quality control. Best seen with a hangover and a sausage roll.