Keamnacally

Explorer Tom Glenveagh Castle includes a former coach house built around 1930, with three carriage arches and a crenellated parapet. Even the building for the carriages has battlements. It is now recorded as an outbuilding, but the broad arches still explain its first job.

Explorer Tom Glenveagh Tea Room has donuts and bagels that have seen things no pastry should see. They're open till four, so go early or miss out entirely on this magnificent sugary disaster zone.

Explorer Tom The Rose Garden here is clearly up to no good, probably plotting something floral. Access is tricky, so don't get cocky with the gate. Pick a stone, any stone, and invent its biography.

Explorer Tom Here lies a Walled Garden in the wilds of County Donegal, where the wind probably howls just to see if you're paying attention. I imagine it's a cozy little secret for customers seeking shelter from that famous Irish rain.

Explorer Tom Wheel tree in County Donegal sounds like something from a sci-fi movie, but it's just a weird plant. It probably thinks it's rotating slowly. It might need permission to turn properly. Ask it which direction it's facing today.

Explorer Tom English holly in County Donegal is basically the punk rock star of the tree world. Sharp leaves, bright berries, and zero apologies for looking prickly. It probably thinks it's way too cool to join the other trees. Give it a pat on the bark if you dare!

Explorer Tom Astelleen Burn Waterfall is a sloping torrent three kilometres from Glenveagh, named after a flood or deluge. Sounds dramatic, doesn’t it? Grand place for a sulk or a snog, your call, just don’t slip on the wet rocks.

Explorer Tom Glenveagh Bridge carries the road over the Owencarrow River on four arches, built around 1820. Cut stone forms the curves and coursed rubble forms the walls. It reached this valley before Glenveagh Castle; even bridges can be early arrivals.

Explorer Tom Glenveagh National Park Visitor Centre is where they hand you the keys to the kingdom of birches. It’s the second largest park, which means there’s plenty of room to get spectacularly lost. Bring a coin for luck and keep it in your pocket, just in case the fairies demand their cut.

Explorer Tom Staghall Mountain has a proper view captured for us, and it looks like a solid old friend standing up in County Donegal. I bet the air up there is crisp enough to make you sneeze before you even start climbing.

Explorer Tom Gartan Ráth Cnó Turas 3 Cross is a bit of a ghost, with its arms barely visible on that rocky mound. It’s part of St Columba’s old pilgrimage route, and I picture the faithful shuffling around in prayer. It’s weathered into a whisper, but it’s still holding the line.

Explorer Tom This is *Gartan Ráth Cnó Turas 5 Cross*, the fifth station of a pilgrimage path where the arms are barely perceptible on its weathered face. It stands about 20m south of the graveyard, acting as a humble marker in the reputed birthplace of Colmcille, so take a moment to appreciate how much history is packed into such a small stone.