Kill Mountain

Explorer Tom Kill Stone Ringfort sits on a rocky mound where the northern wall has been completely stripped away by modern field boundaries. You're left with just a ruined southern fragment and some faint traces of an outer ring, overgrown and stubbornly trying to hold its shape. It’s a bit of a mess, but there’s something nice about seeing how much landowners can reshape history.

Explorer Tom Graveyard or cemetery in Kill. I can’t believe the clergymen had to stand up high just to catch their pocket money! That must have been one very stiff neck.

Explorer Tom Clondahorkey Old Church is now ruinous with a collapsed roof; let’s appreciate its historic bones from the public road, as access isn't guaranteed.

Explorer Tom Kill Old Church Graveyard is roughly 50 by 25 metres, with its church in the northern part. A 1622 report called that church newly rebuilt and well repaired; it remained in use until a new one was built at Ballymore in 1752. I enjoy the change in viewpoint: the same place can be 'newly' repaired in one document and old church on this map.

Explorer Tom The Local Wildlife presentation at New Lake is hand-painted, though the peeling paint adds a certain rustic charm to the scene.

Explorer Tom Envision a Children's playground in County Donegal where the seesaws balance perfectly on nothing, holding up dreams and laughter for all to share.

Explorer Tom Arnold's Hotel in County Donegal claims to be fancy, but I bet you the pillows are made of pure gossip. Sleep tight, or don't, it's your call really.

Explorer Tom Whiskey Fly Bar sounds like they're flying whiskey into your mouth at high speed. Brace for impact and don't blink; if you survive, you'll be the life of any party back home.

Explorer Tom Killahoey has a beach with a second act: an estuary and broad mud flat at the eastern end. Horn Head is in the audience. I might end up watching the birds instead of the waves, which is exactly the sort of distraction I came for.

Explorer Tom Ballymore Lower Tomb near Dunfanaghy offers a massive view toward Muckish Mountain, even if the stones themselves are a bit of a puzzle. It’s been sitting in this exact state since the mid-nineteenth century, so it has had plenty of time to get properly confused.

Explorer Tom Ards Forest Park puts four ringfort remains, a holy well and a Mass rock among walks that also reach salt marsh and sand dunes. Ancient stones and sea air make a rather full day here.

Explorer Tom Breaghy Head has caught my eye in County Donegal. I bet a headland with a name like that could keep me talking all afternoon; I'm already inventing a daft little scene for it, and I'll stop before it turns into history.