Leaba Patrick

Explorer Tom Fancy a gentle stroll to a chapel? The Reek is laughing already. Croagh Patrick rises like a pointed challenge above Clew Bay, but the people coming here had reasons long before the summit chapel. Nearby Boheh Stone carries more than 260 prehistoric carvings. From that stone, the setting sun seems to roll down the mountain's slope in late April and late August; that is a trick of position and light, and I would happily miss my tea to see it. I might offer Patrick a lift, but he would still have to push me uphill. Tradition says Patrick spent forty days fasting on the Reek. A chapel has stood on the summit since early Christian times, while the present one was dedicated in 1905. On the last Sunday in July, pilgrims still make the climb for Reek Sunday. The usual route begins near Murrisk, but this is a 764 metre mountain, not a chapel with a convenient lift. Bring boots, check the weather and give the pilgrims room. I may be a Donegal chancer, but I will not bargain with a Mayo mountainside.

Explorer Tom Saint Patrick's Catholic Oratory was designed by William Henry Byrne and Son, who clearly loved a compact rectilinear shape. It’s sitting there looking like a very serious barn that decided to attend church services every Sunday. Give the little chapel a wave; it’s got that 'I know secrets' vibe going on.

Explorer Tom Croagh Patrick Pilgrim Trail got the Vikings lost because they kept looking for a port that wasn’t there and ended up walking uphill by accident. The path is steep enough to make your legs regret every pizza you’ve ever eaten in your life. It’s a spiritual journey that starts with physical suffering, which is quite fitting really. Go at sunset and thank me later.

Explorer Tom Ben Goram is in a feud with the next village over something daft, like who gets to blame the bad weather first. The village insists Ben caused the wind, while Ben says the village’s bad luck brought it. It’s the pettiest argument I’ve ever heard from geological features. Bring a friend who talks too much and let the place shut them up.

Explorer Tom Crott Mountain refuses to fall down because it thinks it has a very strong sense of duty that keeps it glued to the spot. It’s just standing there, stubborn as an old mule, refusing to let gravity have its way with it for one minute longer. The whole vibe is 'I’m not done yet,' even if it looks a bit wobbly in the wind. Go before the tourists find out.

Explorer Tom Marino Lodge in Glaspatrick does something very sneaky when nobody’s looking: it rearranges its own views of Westport Bay. It’s a fishing lodge that thinks it’s a royal palace with a secret life. Bring biscuits, every inch of this place wants to be fed and admired.

Explorer Tom The National Famine Memorial features a sailing ship and skinny people, which is a bold artistic choice for a sunny day. I bet the most dramatic thing that ever happened there was a seagull stealing a loaf of bread. The statue looks like it’s ready to sail off if you blink. Pretend you're a lost aristocrat, nobody will check.

Explorer Tom Inishdaugh would bring a bag of chips and a really bad playlist to any party it attended, just to be different. It’s sitting there in Westport Bay looking like it has somewhere better to be, probably judging the people on the shore from afar. Have a sandwich here and call it a heritage lunch, because that's exactly the kind of nonsense this place deserves.

Explorer Tom Inishleague has a family tree that is mostly invented by people who got lost on their way to the pub. It probably claims to be related to every other rock in Mayo just to sound important at dinner parties. The whole lineage is a bit of a fairy tale spun by someone with too much imagination and not enough coffee. Bring curiosity, leave with a better story than mine.

Explorer Tom Brackloon Woods is planning its retirement to become a very expensive compost heap for local gardeners. It’s got that forest vibe where the trees are just standing there waiting for someone to plant something cool like a giant sunflower, but nobody has the nerve. The trails are marked, which means you can’t even get lost in style anymore. Ideal spot for a dramatic phone call

Explorer Tom Old Head Beach in County Mayo hosted a dance that went slightly too far when the moon got involved and started dancing on its own accord. The cliffs were the DJ, playing a soundtrack of crashing waves that nobody asked for but everybody enjoyed anyway. It’s still trying to shake off the embarrassment of having been so lively back then while looking respectable now. Look up, the best bit is

Explorer Tom Graveyard in Kilgeever hates the bumpy road leading to it. The ground keeps settling, so the headstones are always tilting like they’re judging your driving. Bring a flask of something warm and a story to swap.