Winter House

Explorer Tom Water tower in Rawros once served Mulroy House. An older account records two metal tanks above its square stone base. Built around 1890, the tower was later recorded as out of use. If the tanks argued, each would claim the better view of the estate.

Explorer Tom Icehouse in Rawros is actually a master of holding its breath underwater for centuries without making a peep about it. It’s got this secret talent for keeping things cold enough to make your teeth ache from across the field. Bring a flask of something warm, because standing next to that brick insulation feels like a personal insult.

Explorer Tom Carrigart Hotel on Main Street is where ghosts go to relax after haunting castles all day long. Ask for room four; if it’s cold, just say you prefer the arctic breeze there. Best visited with a curious kid and no timetable.

Explorer Tom Caife Na Sraide in County Donegal is on the street, so expect to share your pastry with pigeons. It's charming, it's chaotic, and the coffee is probably strong enough to wake the dead. Make a wish, it's had centuries of practice at this game.

Explorer Tom Moross Castle was built in 1532 and sits on a tiny rocky island connected by a causeway. By 1622, someone had slapped a thatched roof on the ruins while it lay waste, which is peak medieval DIY. Only the southwest corner survives now, but that narrow causeway makes it feel like you’re walking onto a very defensive boat.

Explorer Tom Mevagh High Cross is a stark, undecorated slab standing in the graveyard of a ruined medieval church. It’s simple and unadorned, which makes it feel like a quiet guardian overlooking the steep drop to Mulroy Bay. No fancy patterns here, just raw stone and history.

Explorer Tom Downings gets to sit snug in Sheephaven Bay while Rosguill takes the Atlantic full in the face. I can almost hear the peninsula boasting about the arrangement. Donegal tourism lists windsurfing here, though the wind gets the final say on any plans for the water.

Explorer Tom Rosses Strand is a beach where the waves at low tide are barely a foot high, which is basically the ocean taking a nap and pretending to be working hard. It would tell its younger self to stop trying so hard and just enjoy being a gentle lapping sound all day long. Toast it with a cup of tea and move on to the next.

Explorer Tom Cnoc na Sleá means 'hill of the spear', though I would leave any spear firmly in the name. The guide also calls this small Donegal hill Crocknasleigh and points out its older Irish spelling. One hill, two ways to say it, and a very pointed name.

Explorer Tom The Murder Hole would cope perfectly on a reality show by hiding in the corner and pretending the camera crew wasn’t there. It thinks its dark reputation is just great marketing and refuses to do any actual work or make eye contact with anyone. Spot the oldest stone and give it a silly name, because that’s what you should do.

Explorer Tom Cliffs at Lamb's Island are the kind of cliff that would be the best man at a wedding, standing stiffly in the back while everyone else cries and laughs and spills wine everywhere. It just stands there looking dignified, wondering why anyone needs such a big fuss for what is basically two people agreeing to share a sofa. Pop by and tell it it's looking well.

Explorer Tom Cliffs north of Downies are having a massive drama with the nearest tree, arguing about who looks better in the sunset, which is peak Donegal energy right there. The cliff thinks the tree is showing off, but honestly, the wind has them both looking like a messy hairdo. Go now, before it gets famous.