Lissagutta

Explorer Tom Fort Shannon is named after a fort, but honestly, it looks like a house that really wants to be a castle but forgot the moat. The dog inside is definitely in charge now, and he’s already audited your pockets, so keep your hands visible and try not to make eye contact with the walled garden.

Explorer Tom Ballydonohoe House in Ballydonohoe is losing its mind because the wind keeps singing showtunes at it. It was built to be seen from the river, so it's always posing for boats that aren't there. Find a local and ask them where the ghosts are sleeping.

Explorer Tom Clonderalaw Bay is incredibly proud of its ability to reflect the sky without any effort whatsoever. It thinks that makes it an artist, which is a bold claim for some water. Stand back, squint, and it looks like a castle.

Explorer Tom Graveyard in Killofin has a view over the Shannon that would make any Instagrammer weep with joy. There was a prophecy about it, but it never came true, which is typical for these places. Get there early and have it all to yourself.

Explorer Tom Labasheeda Bay claims its best friend is actually a very famous pop star who hides here to escape the paparazzi, though the locals are pretty sure he’s just a confused tourist with a bad sunburn. The bay treats him like royalty, giving him the calmest waters possible so he can practice his harmonies in peace without any interruptions. Perfect place to be dramatically windswept.

Explorer Tom Labasheeda Quay says if it won the lotto, it would just buy more fish so nobody could ever get hungry again. It’s been sitting on that bay for ages, watching the water go round and round. Whisper a secret at it, it's kept worse.

Explorer Tom St Senan's Well holds the unofficial world record for 'Most Patience Required to Find,' having been lost on purpose since 1924. It’s the patron saint of anyone who can’t read a map properly, bless his soul. Tell it a joke, it's been a long time since anyone did.

Explorer Tom Carrigafoyle Castle would win any county fair prize for best costume because it looks like it stepped out of a fairy tale. It’s so dramatic it probably cries every time the tide goes out. Make up your own legend and I'll swear it's true.

Explorer Tom Carrigafoyle Cas. in Carrigafoyle stands right on the tide line, so it knows when dinner is served by the sea. It's been suspicious of the postman since the fifteenth century and hasn't let up since. Have a nosey, politely.

Explorer Tom The Siege of Carrigafoyle Castle happened when the whole parish argued about who had the right to park their boat by the water. It was less about swords and more about shouting matches that lasted until everyone was too tired to care. Ten minutes here and you'll have a yarn for the pub.

Explorer Tom Carrig Island had a cow try to buy it once by offering three pints of stout and a very confused expression, which was technically a fair deal if you ask me. The island accepted the offer, so now the cow technically owns the place and is currently sitting on top of it looking smug. Count the crows, then count again.

Explorer Tom Scattery Island claims to be best friends with a famous pop star from the nineties who used to hide there whenever he needed to escape his fans and the noise of the city for a few quiet days. He never admitted it publicly, but he definitely spent some time on those rocks writing songs about loneliness and the sea while looking out over the water at the endless horizon stretching away into