Meenanea

Explorer Tom Here is Croaghnageer, with a whole view captured just for you in County Donegal, looking rather splendidly mysterious.

Explorer Tom With a name like Croaghbane, this peak in County Donegal surely sees plenty of snow and quite a bit of drama on its slopes.

Explorer Tom Perched on a hilltop guarding Barnesmore Gap, these roofless barracks ruins from c. 1730 still watch over the old road like silent sentinels.

Explorer Tom Bridge in Croaghonagh was built for a 3-foot gauge railway line, which sounds like a trap set by giants for tiny beetles. I reckon the tracks were so narrow that any car trying to drive over it would have to fold its roof flat just to fit through.

Explorer Tom Teach Tábhairne an Rileán in County Donegal has a mouthful of a name. Say it three times fast for me and tell me how you feel!

Explorer Tom Ard na Mona Wood is a 1.9 km loop in County Donegal, taking you through rare ancient oak woodland near Lough Eske.

Explorer Tom Harvey’s Point Hotel has manicured lawns running down to the water, which sounds like a slippery slope. A Swiss family started it all! Wave to the lake for me, you gorgeous.

Explorer Tom The Ring, Leghawny Stone Enclosure is soaked through and hides a seat-like stone structure called 'the Chair'. It’s not exactly comfortable, but it’s the perfect spot to watch the rain come down on Clogher Hill in absolute solitude.

Explorer Tom Dolmen at Disert is supposedly where a chieftain druid went to sleep. I bet he cast a really long nap spell and forgot the wake-up word! Now he’s just napping under the stones, probably snoring in ancient Gaelic.

Explorer Tom Disert Graveyard is a D-shaped pocket inside two larger enclosures, with at least 34 low uninscribed grave markers noted across its centre. The account also records a striking custom: people took soil from near the altar because it was reputed to drive rats from houses. I'd keep that as a belief people held, not a promise from the place.

Explorer Tom Donegal Railway Heritage Centre keeps the county's railway stories in an old station house, including the 1907 Drumboe engine and an interactive cab. I would begin with the engine, then try the cab to see what a driver watched. At last, a railway stop where I am allowed to stay awhile.

Explorer Tom Donegal Castle is a massive tower house that survived being burned, demolished, and converted into a Jacobean manor. You can still see the carved Brooke fireplace with its intricate strapwork and armorial coats of arms inside. It’s a proper architectural time capsule where history got very messy.