Loughtone Hill

Explorer Tom Hamilton Mausoleum has a metal door with pierced floral motifs that look like they are trying to bloom through the iron. Built around 1870, I bet those flowers were meant to remind visitors that even stone can grow something soft and quiet.

Explorer Tom Thompson Mausoleum has a pointed stone doorway and a metal door marked with the family name. The Hamilton vault nearby belongs to relatives by an 1830 marriage, and the two may share a designer. I would lower my voice here; the details do the talking.

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 Rooney's Island was once home to the O'Maoldory Clan, who ruled as Kings of Tir Conaill. I imagine a very serious coronation ceremony taking place on a patch of ground that barely fits a picnic blanket.

Explorer Tom Salthill Cabin near Mountcharles is likely just a shed with a coffee machine and serious delusions of grandeur. It’s in Donegal, so expect rain to pour straight through the roof. Bring your worst joke, the place has heard worse.

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 Ballyboyle Island in County Donegal has a New Year's resolution to stop sinking, which is ironic given it’s already halfway under the water line. It used to belong to the O’Boyles, who probably just left for better weather and never bothered checking back. Bring a coin for luck and keep it in your pocket.

Explorer Tom Killymard Old Church Graveyard encloses a church whose story changes after a bleak 1622 report: it was ruinous then, was later repaired or rebuilt, and remained in use until a new church opened at Ballydevitt in 1829. The earliest modern grave slab noted in the account dates to 1809. Two timelines fit inside one walled place.

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 This second Wych Elm in County Donegal has been holding its breath for centuries, waiting to spill the beans about the pub next door. It swears it heard the landlord lose his shirt during the '98 storm and never got it back. Go on, count the windows and get it wrong like I did.

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 White Hill in County Donegal is all about meadow, farm, and a big sky stretching out forever. It’s a gentle giant that seems to be just hanging out, enjoying the quiet of the countryside without making too much fuss.