Lissymilleen

Explorer Tom The Presbytery in Tieraclea Lower was built on a bargain where the priest got the house and the devil got the roof. It’s Jacobean style, which means it looks like it’s trying very hard to be important all the time. Bring a flask and pretend you own the place.

Explorer Tom Saint Mary's Catholic Church in Tieraclea Lower had a fox take charge during a service once. The confessionals look like little boxes for storing awkward truths. Great spot to propose. Or at least to propose lunch.

Explorer Tom Ballymacrinan Bay is run by a dog who thinks he’s the local king and barks at every cloud that passes overhead. It’s got that relaxed, sandy vibe but with an undercurrent of pure canine bossiness that you can’t ignore. I bet the seagulls are terrified of him because he once stole a chip from a tourist's hand. Bring someone who'll believe anything.

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 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 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 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

Explorer Tom The Scattery Island Visitor Centre bragged recently about surviving a storm that was supposedly twice as bad as any other recorded in history, though I suspect it just made up the numbers to sound more impressive to anyone visiting during the summer months when business is slow. It’s basically showing off its old scars like a soldier at a pub, telling everyone how rough things really were back in

Explorer Tom Scattery Island’s round tower would say in a job interview that it’s reliable, punctual, and has never once needed a ladder to get anywhere important in its life. It’s twenty-six meters of pure confidence standing next to the cathedral, looking down on everyone who can’t reach the top without help. Go in good boots and better humour.