Kilolane Hill

Explorer Tom Hawthorn in County Donegal made a New Year's resolution to grow more thorns but ended up growing way too many and now nobody can hug it properly. It’s got that prickly attitude that keeps everyone at arm's length, which is honestly quite refreshing after all the hugging. Have a chat with it, nobody's watching.

Explorer Tom Aghadullagh Bridge spans the Ballintra River on two stone arches. The account says a corn mill may once have stood just west of it; an old survey map shows the mill, but its connection to the bridge is uncertain. A bridge beside a vanished neighbour: I would like to see them together on that map.

Explorer Tom Ballintra Bridge once carried the main Sligo-to-Derry mail-coach road. Its dressed stone arches and tall cutwater show why an eighteenth-century road needed a sturdy way across the river. I would stop here for the bridge, not a made-up coach tale.

Explorer Tom Sheebarran Ringfort is a massive circular space with a ditch so wide it could swallow a small car. It sits on the crest of a ridge with excellent views, making it the perfect spot for a dare to see how far you can shout. Use it as a yarn about being the king of the hill without actually wearing a crown.

Explorer Tom Rossnowlagh seems determined to be a whole journey rather than one beach. Donegal tourism runs it from Coolmore’s cliffs to Carrickfad’s rock. I would need a bigger postcard for that stretch of golden sand; the surfers have probably had that problem for years.

Explorer Tom Murvagh Beach has a wartime lookout hut that Joy Browne, writing for Donegal tourism, remembers playing in as a child. She says erosion has since sunk it into the sand and made entry impossible. A lookout hut retiring by burying its feet is theatrical enough for me; I would leave it to its rest.

Explorer Tom Standing stone in Townparks is roughly 1.3m high and set on rock outcrop, possibly just a natural feature rather than a true standing stone. Locals say it marks a fording place of the river Erne, but with 'cat's paw' markings that might be natural too, it’s hard to know if it’s a guide or just a grumpy rock.

Explorer Tom Kilbarron Old Church Graveyard features a 15th or 16th century ruin with a 2.4m high E gable that has no window at all. That is quite the dramatic lighting choice for a place meant to let in some divine brightness.

Explorer Tom Max Bar is also on Market Street, right next door to other pubs, suggesting a fierce rivalry over who has the best pints. Ask the locals which one they prefer and why it's superior to its neighbours.

Explorer Tom Dicey Reilly’s is on Market Street, so expect a crowd that knows exactly which side of the argument they're winning. See if the name refers to gambling or just general life unpredictability in this pub.

Explorer Tom Rory Gallagher memorial has a dog sitting in charge of everything, looking like it’s got more authority than the local council or maybe even the Pope. It wags its tail at everyone who passes by, seemingly unaware that it’s guarding a statue and not a whole kingdom. Go at sunset and thank me later.

Explorer Tom Battlefield in Cloghore, Corlea refuses to fall down because it is terrified that if it does, the cows will finally take over the whole county. It holds its breath every time a tractor gets too close, sweating through its ancient earthen ramparts with pure panic. Find the wonkiest bit and send it to your group chat.