Kilroot Cemetery

Explorer Tom White Harbour in Knocknagulliagh has been watching boats come and go since the 1840s. It’s probably tired of the water, honestly. Bring a pen pal, they'll be jealous of your coastal adventures that aren't happening.

Explorer Tom Andrew Jackson Cottage and US Rangers Centre in County Antrim would survive a zombie attack by simply locking the door and ignoring everyone outside. It’s got that sturdy, unbothered vibe that works wonders in emergencies. Tell the kids it's a castle. Close enough.

Explorer Tom Presbyterian Church in Whitehead, County Antrim, was nearly sold to a farmer as a stable for his horse, which would have been tragic. Luckily someone realized the value before the beast got too comfortable in the pews. Bring along a pen pal because they are going to be incredibly jealous of you.

Explorer Tom Stone quay: fisherman's quay in Carrickfergus is haunted by a ghost who is too lazy to actually haunt it. He just sits there judging your fishing technique. Ideal stop for a big stretch and a bigger yawn before you continue the journey, yeah?

Explorer Tom The Railway Preservation Society of Ireland would explain the 1800s to a teenager by saying it was basically just a slower, dirtier version of their current commute. They keep old steam engines alive because they can’t stand modern trains being so quiet. Visit, then text me what you think. I'll pretend to read it.

Explorer Tom Castle Chichester in White Head has a secret talent for looking more important than it actually is, thanks to Sir Moyses Hill's ambition. He was a landless adventurer who thought he was the king of the hill. Ten minutes here and you'll have a yarn for the pub that nobody will believe anyway.

Explorer Tom US Rangers would complain to the council about the wind ruining their camouflage, or maybe just the fact that nobody buys their commemorative hats anymore. It’s a stone marker for soldiers who camped here in the war, and it looks slightly annoyed by the traffic noise. Sit on a wall near it and pretend you're in a painting.

Explorer Tom Post-med Church, Medieval Parish Church, Graveyard: Templecorran Church or Temple-i-corran or Lislaynan in Forthill would cope fine on a reality show because it’s dramatic. It overlooks the lough and judges everyone’s fashion sense. Go now, before it gets famous.

Explorer Tom Stand by Belfast Lough and you can see why John de Courcy chose this spot after his invasion of Ulster in 1177. Carrickfergus Castle could watch ships coming in, and armies knew it. King John besieged it in 1210; Edward Bruce did the same in 1315; French forces captured it in 1760. The castle stayed in military use until 1928, then held air-raid shelters during the Second World War. Its Great Tower still has a tale in the timber: when the roof was rebuilt in 2020, carpenters joined Irish oak with wooden pegs, without a single nail. More than eight hundred years on, you can visit this castle and see its walls for yourself.

Explorer Tom In 1760, Frenchmen landed here and took Carrickfergus Castle with a grin, proving that six hundred guys beat two hundred easily. It was basically a heist movie with swords and very wet feet. Bring someone who will believe anything I tell you about it.

Explorer Tom The Battle of Carrickfergus in 1597 was where English soldiers got absolutely hammered by the locals, likely after too much whiskey. I imagine they are still arguing about who left their helmet behind. Go in good boots and keep your humour sharp for the ghosts.

Explorer Tom The King William III Monument is a statue standing guard over Carrickfergus, probably checking if everyone has their sashes on correctly before they even get past the gate. If it had a dating profile, it would say 'Looking for someone who respects tradition and doesn't mind a bit of wind.' Best seen with a hangover and a sausage roll.