Oughtadreen

Explorer Tom Pettigo Plateau Nature Reserve spreads across bog, lakes and wet heath, with an old trackway and cottage remains from two families who lived here in the mid-1800s. The landscape keeps its human history in plain sight.

Explorer Tom Saints Island sounds like the place to land for the Lough Derg pilgrimage, but that is Station Island next door. This island held the early monastery; Lough Derg calls it overgrown and inaccessible. Even my map needs the two islands kept straight.

Explorer Tom St. Parick's Catholic Basilica is an octagonal masterpiece on Station Island, designed by William Scott who based the plan on San Vitale in Ravenna. It cost over £80,000 to build and features stained glass by Harry Clarke, making it a stunning pilgrimage site.

Explorer Tom St Patrick's Cross on Station Island is a 1.3m shaft wrapped in spiralling bands that look like ancient rope. It’s said to have been moved here from Saint's Island, which sounds like a bit of a logistical nightmare back then. Standing next to the penal beds, it feels like a tiny, confused survivor of a much bigger monastic operation.

Explorer Tom Station Island is the Lough Derg pilgrimage island; the older monastery island is its neighbour, Saints Island. The traditional pilgrimage lasts three days. I would want the current dates and a proper booking sorted before I packed, because a lake crossing deserves more planning than my usual wandering.

Explorer Tom Monument in Station Island has three marble saints standing on sandstone blocks, but only one was made locally. I picture St. Joseph arriving from Italy via a very slow boat in 1891 while Patrick O’Neill’s Virgin Mary just stands there waiting for the unpacking to finish.

Explorer Tom The Cloister in County Donegal is probably where monks went to complain about the canteen food. I bet they hid extra biscuits under the floorboards just to be spiteful. Count the crows, then count again and panic slightly.

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 Patrick the Pilgrim is a memorial that’s clearly been on a long journey to get here. St. Patrick’s Purgatory is in the background, which suggests this guy had some serious spiritual homework to do. Stand where the owner stood and practise looking smug.

Explorer Tom Lough Derg Forest sits near a famous pilgrimage spot, so I bet there are more prayers being said under those trees than actual birdsong. The name sounds serious, but it's probably just a place where people go to clear their heads and lose their way. See if any pilgrims are hiding in there!

Explorer Tom Bawn in An Chorrmhín was where Sir Niall Garbh O'Donnell actually lived before things went pear-shaped in 1608. Fagan claimed a cheeky female figure carving used to sit here, but a search in 1981 found nothing. I bet she’s hiding behind those trees now!

Explorer Tom Harvey's Point is probably named after a guy who got lost and pointed in the wrong direction. Follow his lead; if you end up in a field of sheep, consider that an adventure.