Shalloganbeg

Explorer Tom Bridge in An Srath Buí was built around 1860 with two arches and triangular cutwaters over the Shallogan River. Its dressed stonework contrasts with rubble walls, and a railway bridge is recorded just west. I thought I had found one bridge to admire; the neighbour made it a pair.

Explorer Tom Graffy Bridge was built around 1830 with two arches over the Stracashel River and an additional arch to the southwest. Cut-stone triangular cutwaters face the flow. I thought the bridge had finished its sentence after two arches; the third adds a cheeky postscript.

Explorer Tom Aghla Mountain South Top only shows its face on all-too-rare days when it isn't shrouded in damp mist. I suppose the mountain prefers its curtains drawn most of the time.

Explorer Tom Aghla Mountain is a majestic peak in County Donegal, standing tall against the sky and inviting adventurers to test their skills on its rugged slopes.

Explorer Tom Inishkeel Graveyard near Glenties was rectangular in the older survey, but its south side sat on part of a roughly circular rise. Some of that rise lay beyond the west wall, about fifty metres across. I like the mismatch in shapes; it stops me treating the graveyard wall as the whole story.

Explorer Tom Children's playground in County Donegal looks like it swallowed a unicorn and is still digesting the magic. The slide might transport you straight to the afterlife, but only on Tuesdays.

Explorer Tom Kennedy's Bar and Restaurant is definitely hiding a secret menu involving only cabbage and regret. I bet the barman knows more about ghosts than he does about cocktails, so keep your ears peeled for whispers while you eat.

Explorer Tom Highlands Hotel in County Donegal sounds like it’s on top of a mountain with no lift. If you see a view, describe it to me, but don’t mention the cold draft.

Explorer Tom St. Connell's Museum and Heritage Centre lets me go from an old courtroom to the cells below, then into stories of the workhouse and Donegal railways. That is a lot of Glenties history packed into one building. I would leave the cells to the displays and keep my own visit on the friendly side of the door.

Explorer Tom Stone cairn, Lougherrig is a simple name for what might be one of the oldest quiet spots in County Donegal. There’s no date attached to it, which means it could be as old as time itself or just a very stubborn pile. I’d like to know if it ever gets tired of being a landmark.

Explorer Tom Giant's Grave Megalithic Tomb lies deep in boggy ground between Aghla and Scraigs. The recorded gallery was five metres long, with six stones on each side. A slab across one end might not have been part of its original roof. That uncertainty is more interesting than pretending the wet ground offers an easy look inside.

Explorer Tom Another fine Wych Elm awaits in County Donegal, so remember to check if you need permission first.