Mill in Lisfannan, County Donegal (40904724)

Explorer Tom Lisfannan's old flax mill still has a metal wheel in the survey record, and its mill race carried water on toward another mill downhill. That was a stream with a second job waiting after this one.

Explorer Tom Farm house in Lisfannan has a corner that used to be a corn mill, which means there might have been flour flying around all day. I wonder where all those huge stone wheels went? They must have rolled off somewhere and got lost in the hedgerows.

Explorer Tom Castle Aileach is an earthwork enclosure that thinks it’s way cooler than the other castles because it has 'Aileach' in the name. It would describe the 1800s as 'very basic, mate.' Snap one photo, then put the phone away.

Explorer Tom Grianán of Aileach has two roofed passages within its thick circular wall. Both curve toward the entrance and stop short. If you thought the fort was just one big ring of stone, the builders had another plan.

Explorer Tom Grianán of Aileach Outer Hillfort has a surprise outside the stone fort: three worn earthen rings may belong to a much older hillfort, perhaps from the Late Bronze or Iron Age. I came for one ancient place and found several piled into one hill! The long account below even traces an old road, a cairn and a holy well.

Explorer Tom Greenan Mountain is a peak in County Donegal with no recorded access details. The picture looks north towards Inch Island, which makes me think the mountain is just using it as a background for its own very serious portrait.

Explorer Tom Wild Ireland in County Donegal has a five-year retirement plan that involves moving to the sun and refusing to be woken up by any of its animal guests, which is fair after all those years of barking. It’s a wildlife sanctuary, but it dreams of being a beach club where everyone just naps and eats ice cream. Go on a wet day, it suits the mood.

Explorer Tom Cashel Hill in County Donegal makes a low, moaning groan at night that sounds exactly like a ghost who just stubbed its toe on a rock. It’s very dramatic for a hill. Tell it a joke, it's been a long time since anyone did, and it might laugh out loud.

Explorer Tom When Balor Came West: The Second Battle of Mag Tuired sits on flat ground below Aileach, relying entirely on Eochu Ollathair’s poem rather than archaeology. I suppose it is easier to argue with a rhyme than a shovel.

Explorer Tom The Battle of the Bogside site has murals that tell stories louder than words ever could. One time a fox took charge of the whole situation and everyone was confused. Take a mate and argue about what it was for.

Explorer Tom H-Block Memorial: There’s a local who claims he invented the concept of 'monument' right here, back in the day. He’s not wrong, I guess, given how serious everyone looks about it. Great spot to propose. Or at least to propose lunch.

Explorer Tom Bloodly Sunday Memorial witnessed a pigeon fly directly into the memorial plaque last Tuesday, which was either divine intervention or just really bad luck for the bird in question. It’s got heavy significance but also a surprisingly good view of the street traffic below when the crowds thin out. Tell me if the gossip I made up is true.