Roshin

Explorer Tom Farm house in Magheramenagh has a side wing that’s actually taller than the main house. I reckon the farmer built it so he could see over the hedge without getting up from his chair.

Explorer Tom The Rock in Corcreggan, built circa 1820, has a flat-roofed entrance porch added around 1900 and Roshine slate roofing.

Explorer Tom The Carriage Hotel in County Donegal is literally an old train car. Sleep on the rails, baby! Bring me a ticket stub if you find one!

Explorer Tom Corcreggan Mill in County Donegal has yurts! Sleeping in a tent that pretends to be a house? Love it.

Explorer Tom The Local Wildlife presentation at New Lake is hand-painted, though the peeling paint adds a certain rustic charm to the scene.

Explorer Tom Kill Old Church Graveyard is roughly 50 by 25 metres, with its church in the northern part. A 1622 report called that church newly rebuilt and well repaired; it remained in use until a new one was built at Ballymore in 1752. I enjoy the change in viewpoint: the same place can be 'newly' repaired in one document and old church on this map.

Explorer Tom There are two Tramore Strands in Donegal, and this one near Dunfanaghy makes you earn the sand. The local guide sends you along a tree-lined path for about 30 minutes before the two-mile beach shows itself. I would give it a grand entrance; the dangerous currents mean my swimming trunks can stay in the bag.

Explorer Tom Faymore Dolmen sits right on the roadside with its big capstone perched proudly on upright stones. I can’t find an official number for it, but seeing that massive rock balanced there makes me wonder what story it’s keeping to itself.

Explorer Tom Ards Forest Park puts four ringfort remains, a holy well and a Mass rock among walks that also reach salt marsh and sand dunes. Ancient stones and sea air make a rather full day here.

Explorer Tom Dermot and Granias Bed is a pretty ruinous portal tomb, mostly just two stones standing up in the grass. It’s named after a couple who supposedly slept here, which is either very romantic or just really lazy local history. At least the view of Muckish Mountain isn't disappointing.

Explorer Tom Killahoey has a beach with a second act: an estuary and broad mud flat at the eastern end. Horn Head is in the audience. I might end up watching the birds instead of the waves, which is exactly the sort of distraction I came for.

Explorer Tom Beyond the view of Pollaguill Bay, winter storms often hurl huge boulders right up onto these dramatic, rugged rocks.