Mullafin

Explorer Tom Bridge in Ballyholey Far crosses its little stream at an angle under the road. Built around 1820, its single stone arch had to meet a road that would not run straight over it. I want to see how the stones take that sideways turn.

Explorer Tom School in Ballyholey Far is still rocking its natural slate roof and battened timber doors. It’s one of the best surviving examples of a national school in Donegal, so don’t be shy about looking at it. Maybe it’s waiting for you to recite your times tables out loud.

Explorer Tom Mongorry Hill is having a bit of an identity crisis, probably because 'Mongorry' sounds like a dog that stole your sandwich. It’s just sitting there being a peak in County Donegal. Perfect detour when the satnav has a meltdown.

Explorer Tom Picture a secret nook in County Donegal where the only job is to admire whatever blooms next. I bet there's a daisy there that looks like it's winking at you, waiting for a gentle hand.

Explorer Tom Walled Garden in County Donegal is basically a greenhouse with an attitude problem. I suspect the roses whisper gossip about the neighbours when no one's looking. Pretend you're a lost aristocrat, nobody will check your credentials anyway.

Explorer Tom Cathedral in Raphoe Townparks is a palimpsest of history, with 9th-century carvings hiding inside its modern walls. Adomnán himself was linked to this monastery back in the 7th century, so that ground has seen more than just your average Sunday service.

Explorer Tom Cathedral in Raphoe Townparks hides a 9th-century lintel right under your nose. It depicts St. Peter chopping an ear off, which is a bit of a violent detail for a church entrance, but it proves this spot has been holy chaos for over a millennium.

Explorer Tom Diamond Bar in Raphoe is sparkling like a gem that forgot to shower. Pop in for a pint before it realizes how smelly it actually is.

Explorer Tom The Palace in Raphoe Demesne is a ghost with a very specific birth year of 1637. Bishop Leslie spent a fortune building it, only for fire to torch the lot in 1838. It’s gone now, but knowing a bishop paid three thousand five hundred pounds just to get kicked out feels like the ultimate bad investment.

Explorer Tom Battlefield in Tully, Glenmaquin Lower, Roosky is a patch of earth that remembers being trampled by very angry people. It's quiet now, but the ground still feels like it's holding its breath. Stand where the owner stood and practise looking smug about your discovery.

Explorer Tom The seagulls at Glenmaquin say the Battle of 1642 was mostly about who got the best sandwich first. Very political, very messy. Toast it with a cup of tea and move on to the next spot before you start overthinking the whole thing.

Explorer Tom European Yew in County Donegal is a yew, which means it’s tough, old, and probably poisonous if you look at it wrong. It’s the kind of tree that survives empires and bad haircuts. Bring your own legend, I've run out, make up a story about a dragon living in its branches.