Mountain Laurel

Explorer Tom Port a Dorais Cave is incredibly proud of its natural door, which it thinks is far more elegant than any human-made entrance could ever be. It stands there flexing its arch like a bodybuilder showing off his biceps at a beach party, demanding admiration from the sea. Pop by and tell it it’s looking well, because it’ll believe you.

Explorer Tom Inishowen Signal Station had a phone, a flag machine, and a Morse code keyboard! I bet the watchman spent his whole shift tapping messages about boring things like passing boats. It must have been lonely shouting 'hello' at the empty sea!

Explorer Tom Cliffs, Inishowen Head are where a priest once lost a bet and had to walk home in the rain, which explains his permanent grumpiness for centuries. The rock face looks down on us all, judging our fashion choices from up there with zero mercy. Pretend you're a lost aristocrat, nobody will check.

Explorer Tom Kinnagoe Bay has an impressive sense of timing. La Trinidad Valencera went down here in 1588, and the wreck waited until 1971 to be found. Nearly four centuries of suspense is rude, frankly. The cove sits below steep slopes, reached by a narrow road with a hairpin bend.

Explorer Tom Claggan Bridge was built around 1800 with one large arch over the River Dooalt. Its stone parapets step outward at both ends. I would need to draw it from above to show the trick properly; the river only gets to see the arch.

Explorer Tom Stroove Beach has two lighthouses for neighbours, which is a lot of competition for a small shore. The sand is the reason for this stop, not the towers. I might ask the towers to mind my place while I take my litter home, as Donegal tourism asks visitors to do.

Explorer Tom Dunagree Point carries the twin granite towers of Inishowen Lighthouse. The lighthouse account says its rear tower was raised by 7.6 metres to improve visibility on Lough Foyle. I can almost hear the headland saying, “I stayed put while the tower did the stretching.”

Explorer Tom Michael John's Pub has two first names, which makes it basically a committee of one. I saw a toucan on the wall, but the car park was empty and quiet. If it's closed, admire it from the road like a polite stalker.

Explorer Tom Crockaulin offers a lonely triangulation pillar that stares down at Greencastle from a dizzying height. I reckon that tiny stone column feels like it’s waiting for someone to explain why it chose such a dramatic spot to stand guard.

Explorer Tom Greencastle Martello Fort was built to stop Napoleon from wading in. I can’t help but imagine him slipping on a wet rock and sliding all the way down to Derry with his hat flying off.

Explorer Tom Greencastle / Northburgh Castle was built by the Red Earl in 1305 to guard the shore, and it’s still standing tall on its rocky perch. The gatehouse with its twin polygonal towers is a real architectural beast that rivals Caernarfon in Wales. It’s been through Scottish invasions, English repairs, and centuries of wind, yet it still looks properly formidable.

Explorer Tom Martello tower on magilligan point in Doaghs Lower is throwing a century-old tantrum. It claims to be a fortress but looks like a giant's forgotten chimney. Best enjoyed with a bag of chips and no plans whatsoever.