Wild Ireland

Explorer Tom Bridge in Drumadooey was built c. 1800 with one of its two round-headed arches currently blocked by vegetation. I bet that stubborn patch of green is just trying to claim a private lounge for itself, far away from the tarmac traffic.

Explorer Tom Castle Aileach is an earthwork enclosure that thinks it’s way cooler than the other castles because it has 'Aileach' in the name. It would describe the 1800s as 'very basic, mate.' Snap one photo, then put the phone away.

Explorer Tom Farm house in Derryvane, built c. 1900, features tripartite ground floor windows with four-over-four and two-over-two sashes. I reckon the original glazier needed a magnifying glass just to align those tiny colored panes without going completely cross-eyed.

Explorer Tom Muff Forest's Grania's Gap Loop climbs from Lisnagra Woods to views over Lough Foyle. Sport Ireland marks 6.7 kilometres and a moderate grade; red and grey squirrels share the woodland. Quite a lot of company for one loop.

Explorer Tom Scalp Mountain in County Donegal is recorded as a peak that definitely keeps its hair on. I imagine it’s got a bit of a grumpy look, standing there with that whole view captioned and ready to judge your hiking boots.

Explorer Tom Squealin' Pig is hogging the main road so badly the pigs are squealing at the traffic. The next village claims they invented the squeal, but I doubt it. Go have a dramatic phone call from the pavement!

Explorer Tom Finnegans sits right next to Squealin' Pig on the main road, sharing the spotlight like stubborn toddlers. Pick one and commit, or you'll get lost in the gossip. Have a wander and a wonder over there.

Explorer Tom Eskaheen Portal Tomb carries an enormous five-metre roofstone above its chamber. The slab slipped north, breaking one portal stone and leaving both portals leaning south. Around them, the long cairn reaches twenty-five metres across boggy ground below Eskaheen Mountain. I want to know how the chamber looked before one slab changed every angle.

Explorer Tom Cashel Hill in County Donegal makes a low, moaning groan at night that sounds exactly like a ghost who just stubbed its toe on a rock. It’s very dramatic for a hill. Tell it a joke, it's been a long time since anyone did, and it might laugh out loud.

Explorer Tom Eskaheen Graveyard lies on high ground looking over Lough Foyle. The earlier survey recorded part of the old church's west gable and a small south wall section, with an opening that might have been a door or window. I want to leave that uncertainty in: 4.4 metres of stone can tell us plenty, but cannot name every missing part.

Explorer Tom Enagh or Domnach Dola in Templetown would bring a very awkward silence to any party it attends. It's free, it's odd, what more do you want?