Neil Blaney

Explorer Tom Fanad Lighthouse has a helicopter pad from 1969 sitting right next to its 180s walls! It looks like the keepers just upgraded their escape route without asking permission. I wonder if the chopper ever tried to land on the chimney by mistake?

Explorer Tom Fanad Head Lighthouse has 76 steps between you and the tower view. The guides tell what life was like for the keeper families who looked after this light. I reckon their stories are worth hearing before anyone starts bragging about the climb.

Explorer Tom Fanad Head is the tip of the peninsula between Lough Swilly and Mulroy Bay. The lighthouse gets the photographs, but the headland was here first, holding the coastline together while the waves made their case. I would give the cliffs their space and look from a safe point.

Explorer Tom Lop 79 was a watch hut built around 1941 above the Atlantic, with a canted bay facing north. Its square openings have no fittings in the survey account. I expected a grand tower; this small place had the serious job of watching the coast.

Explorer Tom Fanad Head Lighthouse Visitor Centre marks the Wild Atlantic Way, offering insights into this iconic coastal landmark in Donegal.

Explorer Tom Lighthouse Tavern in County Donegal is closed on Thursdays, which means it’s perfect for mysterious disappearances. If you go Tuesday, bring a flashlight just in case.

Explorer Tom This Hazel tree in County Donegal looks inviting, though you may need permission to get up close.

Explorer Tom This Wych Elm in Donegal looks peaceful and strong, so check if you need permission to visit.

Explorer Tom Lenan Fort is a cliff-edge battery with three big gun emplacements that were abandoned in 1952. It stayed under British control until 1938, which is a bit of a wild detail for an Irish place. You can wander through the underground magazines and wonder if any of the old gunners are still listening to the waves crash below.

Explorer Tom Dunaff Hill sits in County Donegal, offering a coastal view that seems to be winking at passing ships. It has no recorded access route, so it might just be standing there with its arms crossed, daring you to find the right side.

Explorer Tom Urris Hills in County Donegal sounds like it's having a proper chat with the Gap of Mamore, judging by that caption. It’s a mountain that seems to know exactly where its boundaries are, even if the trail doesn't.

Explorer Tom Portsalon runs in a wide sandy curve along Lough Swilly, with Knockalla rising behind it. I can almost see a giant pencil trying to draw that line in one stroke. That's the bit that grabs me: sand, water and mountains making one huge sweep, without needing a beauty contest to tell me so.