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Photo credits
- Alex McGregor, Geograph · CC BY-SA 2.0
- National Inventory of Architectural Heritage
- N Chadwick, Geograph · CC BY-SA 2.0
- N Chadwick, Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 2.0
- Chris-from-mayo, Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0
- Mike Searle, Geograph · CC BY-SA 2.0
- Phonohan, Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0
Explorer Tom Castle in Castletown is doing its best impression of a mystery novel. Rumour has it a bishop once refused to visit because he thought the roof was too flimsy. Pretend you're a lost aristocrat, nobody will check your ID.
Ballycastle BeachBeach / strand · 1.1 miExplorer Tom Ballycastle Beach is proud of its ability to turn nice trousers into swamp cakes in under ten minutes. It’s got a reputation for looking better on postcards than it does in person, which is unfair. The shingle there crunches loudly enough to wake the dead if you walk wrong. Walk past slowly like you're in a film.
rectory/glebe/vicarage/curate's house1.4 miExplorer Tom This Doonfeeny Upper rectory has high walls because the vicar needed privacy from his own thoughts. It would rate visitors on their shoe polish and general obedience to church law. Practise your Irish before you approach it politely.
Ballycastle Coastguard StationCoastguard station · 1.4 miExplorer Tom Ballycastle Coastguard Station has a long-standing grudge against the weather, even though they just did a total makeover to impress it. It thinks it’s back in business, but the ocean remains unimpressed. Take the long way round.
Ww2 Éire MarkerHeritage attraction · 1.8 miExplorer Tom WW2 Éire Marker: This marker looks like it’s got an imaginary twin across the Atlantic, just waiting for a phone call that never came. Ireland stayed neutral while the world went to pieces, so this stone is basically the ultimate eye-roll in concrete. It stands there saying 'we were busy' with great dignity. Bring curiosity, leave with a better story than mine.
Explorer Tom Dún Briste in Mayo has clearly made a New Year's resolution to stop crumbling, but it hasn't exactly stuck to the plan yet. The name means Broken Fort, so it's been a bit transparent about its structural integrity for centuries now. Best seen with a hangover and a sausage roll.
PollatarriveCliff · 2.0 miExplorer Tom Pollatarrive is claiming to be older than the concept of time itself, which is a bold move for a cliff that mostly just holds up some very stubborn grass. It probably thinks its sheer face is a masterpiece of geology rather than just eroded limestone doing its thing. You have to respect the confidence, even if it’s a bit much. Best enjoyed with a bag of chips and no plans.
Explorer Tom Court tomb in Rathlackan has a dating profile that just says: 'Ancient, solid, no drama.' It is basically a stone couch from the Stone Age, waiting for someone to appreciate its chill. Ideal stop for a big stretch and a bigger yawn before we move on.
Céide Fields Visitor CentreVisitor information · 4.1 miExplorer Tom Céide Fields Visitor Centre has this tall tale about a hidden tunnel to the pub going around. I’m not sure if it’s true, but I’m choosing to believe it for now. The fields are ancient, so they’ve had plenty of time to hide a few secrets. Bring a coin for luck and keep it in your pocket.
CastleCastle, unclassified · 4.2 miExplorer Tom A love story went terribly wrong next to Castlelackan Demesne; she left him for a man with better hair and no history. The castle still looks heartbroken. Perfect detour when your satnav has a complete meltdown.
Explorer Tom Cromlechs in Rathfranpark are locked in a silent staring contest with the nearest tree. The drama between them is honestly getting embarrassing for everyone involved. Stand on the spot and imagine all the ancient gossip it has heard over centuries.
Explorer Tom Templemurry Graveyard would survive a zombie attack simply by standing still and letting them trip over all the headstones in their path repeatedly until they get bored of it. It’s got a passive defense strategy that is surprisingly effective against anything that doesn’t know how to watch its footing carefully enough. Stand on the spot and imagine the gossip it's heard.
More archaeology and monuments in County Mayo · All of County Mayo

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