Reilly Wood

Explorer Tom Inisherk Trail would survive a zombie apocalypse by simply letting them fall off the edge into the lough below. It’s got that classic Fermanagh 'wet and wild' energy without even trying. Count the crows, then count again.

Explorer Tom Turf House in Crom is engaged in a long-standing feud with the nearest tree over who gets more sunlight, and honestly, the tree is winning. It’s an estate structure that probably stores more drama than actual turf. A good place to forget your phone for ten minutes and just breathe.

Explorer Tom Summer House in Crom is basically a fancy garden shed that thinks it’s a palace and refuses to let anyone forget it. Built in the 1890s, it probably hosted more dramatic arguments than actual summer parties. Bring a pen pal, they'll be jealous of its architectural pretensions.

Explorer Tom Crom Castle in County Fermanagh took about four hundred thousand cups of tea to build. It’s just a castle with no specific story, so we’re making it up as we go along. I bet the architects were running on pure caffeine by the time the roof went up. Bring a friend who talks too much and let the place shut them up.

Explorer Tom Trasna Island makes a sound at night that sounds suspiciously like a tuba playing very badly in a dream, which keeps the locals up late. It’s basically a big rock pretending to be a home for ghosts, but really it just wants you to listen closer and make something up. Linger, it's not going anywhere and neither should you.

Explorer Tom Crom Estate has two castles, and one of them would prefer you kept your distance. The public grounds stretch over about 1,350 acres beside Upper Lough Erne, with woods, old trees and the ruins of an early house built in 1611. That building survived attacks but burned in the eighteenth century. A new castle rose in 1840; it remains a private home, so I will not be knocking at its door with a camera. The estate came to the National Trust in 1987, giving visitors a chance to explore the grounds and the older remains. Some ancient trees need protection from feet as well as weather, so follow signed routes and check current hours or charges. I would challenge you to count every island from the shore, but I would lose after the first bend. Walk toward the old castle and let the lough do the showing off.

Explorer Tom Two Crom Castles, one ruin. I am already at the wrong gate. Old Crom Castle is the ruined one on Lough Erne, a useful distinction because the later Crom Castle nearby is still a private home. Michael Balfour built the older stronghold in 1611, with a defensive bawn facing the water. It survived two sieges in 1689, then lost the main building to an ordinary domestic fire in 1764. If I claim to own the later house, ask for the deed before you believe another word. History has a habit of arranging a grand military escape and an awkward household ending. Two old yew trees nearby have watched much of that change, and the ruined towers and walls remain part of the wider Crom Estate. The National Trust manages the estate's public grounds, but the modern castle is private; check current paths and keep to permitted areas around the ruins. Look through the surviving stone towards the lough. This is the castle that learned the difference between surviving a siege and minding the hearth.

Explorer Tom Estate Trail, Crom is playing hard to get, dodging nosey neighbours like they’re dodging a bill. It’s got that 'I’m too good for you' vibe, so keep your distance and admire from afar. Snap one photo, then put the phone away and actually look.

Explorer Tom Yew Trees in County Fermanagh caused a massive argument in the parish back when someone suggested they were actually two different species pretending to be friends. The whole village was split down the middle about it. Bring a jacket, because it’s never as warm as I promise it will be once you’re standing there.

Explorer Tom Crichton Tower on Gad Island at Crom in County Fermanagh has a local legend about a giant who got stuck in the window frame. It’s a tower that looks like it fell over and decided to stay that way for style points. Bring your own legend, I've run out.

Explorer Tom Gad Island in Fermanagh has a secret talent for making your phone lose signal completely whenever you try to take a selfie on it, which is very annoying if you are trying to show off your face to friends back home today. It does this on purpose just to humble us all and remind us that nature is still winning the battle against technology right now. Ideal place to rehearse an excuse for being late.