Max Bar

Explorer Tom Dicey Reilly’s is on Market Street, so expect a crowd that knows exactly which side of the argument they're winning. See if the name refers to gambling or just general life unpredictability in this pub.

Explorer Tom Sean Óg’s is on Market Street, and Sean Óg means young Sean, so maybe the owner is younger than his name suggests. Ask if he's actually the youngest person working there or just named after a relative.

Explorer Tom The Market House in Townparks stands right next to where the old market used to be. I reckon it still hears phantom haggling about cabbages from the empty pavement, and maybe even tips its hat at the memory.

Explorer Tom Kilbarron House has these silly little circular motifs on its porch frieze. I wonder if they were meant to look like coins for a very fancy door knocker that never arrived? Built around 1900, it feels like the architect was trying too hard to impress the vicar.

Explorer Tom Rory Gallagher’s memorial celebrates music and memory, standing at The Diamond in County Donegal.

Explorer Tom St Anne's Church Graveyard in Ballyshannon waited two centuries for its first church to move house. That is an incredibly long commute just to change streets, but I suppose the Erne needed the space.

Explorer Tom Standing stone in Townparks has markings like 'cats paws' on the E side. Did a giant cat nap there? I swear I can still smell the tuna.

Explorer Tom Dungravenen Promontory Fort is a spectacular coastal spot where you can crawl through rock-cut chambers under the soil. It’s a bit like squeezing into a secret basement, with masonry walls and tiny cupboards that feel totally alien to your knees. Just remember the flagstones are doing all the heavy lifting up there.

Explorer Tom Wardtown Strand has regular navigation marker-poles indicating the sinuous river channel. I reckon those poles are doing a lot of heavy lifting while the sand just sits there, wet and unbothered. It is a very organized mess.

Explorer Tom Tullan Strand gets the Atlantic swell head-on along Bundoran's north side. Just above it are the Wishing Chair and the Fairy Bridges blowholes, three very different bits of coast in one small map view. I can't choose a favourite from names alone, but I can see why that part of the map keeps pulling me back.

Explorer Tom The Dark Cliffs at Kilbarron sound moody and magnificent, perfect for a quick look if you can find a safe spot.

Explorer Tom A lovely Hawthorn tree in Donegal, possibly needing permission to enjoy its blossoms and natural grace.