Shellfield

Explorer Tom Fort Stewart’s walled garden, built c.1780, is currently hosting a very aggressive botanical takeover behind those segmental-arch openings. I reckon the plants have decided they want to test the rubble stone walls’ patience with their enthusiastic growth.

Explorer Tom Ferry House in Killydonnell was built around 1780 overlooking Lough Swilly. The Stewart family started a regular ferry to Ballybegley Pier, but the service ended in 1930. The name stayed when the boats stopped; I wish the house could count the crossings for me.

Explorer Tom Tullyaughnish Old Church Graveyard has been hanging around since 1622, which is basically forever in church years. Sir William Stewart built it, so the locals were definitely keeping up with the trends back then. I bet the ghosts are still complaining about the new church. Take a pic of the old stones!

Explorer Tom European Beech in County Donegal is just a tree, but make it sound important or people will think you’re wasting time. It’s probably plotting something against the squirrels or the weather. Ten minutes here and you'll have a yarn for the pub, claim you spoke to its roots.

Explorer Tom Rowan in County Donegal is hiding because it thinks it wards off witches, but I'm pretty sure it just hates the rain. It needs permission to exist properly. Ask it politely if it wants a cup of tea.

Explorer Tom Burt Castle's roofless keep still stands on the hill, with two round corner towers and rows of gun-loops. The old account even records a spiral stair with broken steps in the south-west tower. I would admire that stubborn stonework from safe ground; those steps sound like trouble.

Explorer Tom Inch Castle Promontory Fort sits right on Farland Bank, which is a bit of a mystery since the records are silent. But that coastal edge? I bet the wind there has been roaring since ancient times, keeping the ghosts perfectly chilled.

Explorer Tom Old Castle is a stubborn tower house that has survived since 1454, even if Mr. Skinner never finished his rebuild. The east half stands three storeys high with intact vaults and murder holes, while the rest lies in ruins. It’s a proper cliff-edge survivor that refuses to fully crumble away.

Explorer Tom Carnaghan Portal Tomb stands on Inch Island, watching over Lough Swilly with two tall stones framing its entrance. Locals call it the King’s Grave, and Fagan found crocks of bones nearby back in 1846. It’s a royal spot that still feels a bit mysterious and isolated.

Explorer Tom Our Lady of Lourdes Church graveyard is where you go when you need to feel small but also slightly drunk. I bet the church bell rings specifically to scare off the birds that want to eat the headstones. Best seen with a hangover and a sausage roll.

Explorer Tom Inch Island sits quietly near Grianan of Aileach, acting like it doesn’t know how famous its neighbour is. It’s keeping to itself, which I respect. Best enjoyed with a bag of chips and no plans whatsoever.

Explorer Tom When Balor Came West: The Second Battle of Mag Tuired sits on flat ground below Aileach, relying entirely on Eochu Ollathair’s poem rather than archaeology. I suppose it is easier to argue with a rhyme than a shovel.