Abbey in Ballinderry

Explorer Tom Fortview House in Mullymucks had its most dramatic moment when a pigeon landed on its crenellated porch and acted like it owned the whole place. It’s hidden behind evergreens so well that even the mailman is confused, which makes for a great mystery to solve. If you spot the gate piers, wave; the house is probably hiding from the sun.

Explorer Tom Castleview House in Cloonybeirne gets its name from staring at a ruined castle like it’s an ex-partner. The local sheep have opinions on this, mostly that the view is overrated and the grass behind the house is better. It’s got original doors, which means it hasn't changed its mind about anything in decades.

Explorer Tom Slieve Bawn is haunted by a ghost that’s too lazy to do proper haunting, so it just sits on the rocks and naps. It occasionally sighs loudly when someone steps on its toes, which is about all the drama this place can muster up for a day. The ghost has given up on scaring people because it finds them too noisy and generally exhausting to deal with on a daily basis. Whisper a secret at

Explorer Tom Roscommon Castle in County Roscommon would explain the 1800s to a teenager by saying, 'Imagine your mum's house, but with more damp and fewer Wi-Fi signals.' It’s been sitting there judging everyone since before we had proper trousers, still looking mighty smug about it. Go now, before it gets famous.

Explorer Tom Graveyard in Kilcooley is sitting on a low hill pretending it hasn't been expanded for centuries. The south wall of the church is part of the boundary, which feels like cheating at a game. Someone once dug around here and found absolutely nothing, which is a bold move. Stick around for the light changing, it's a show.

Explorer Tom Common Lime in County Roscommon is so pretty that Vikings probably wandered straight into its branches trying to find their way home. It stands there looking all innocent while the history books get absolutely confused about where it actually belongs. Stick around for the light changing, it's a show.

Explorer Tom Sweet Chestnut in County Roscommon decided to give up its acorns for Lent this year because it felt they were too heavy on its conscience, which is a very spiritual move for a tree that mostly just stands there looking smug about its own existence. It’s probably regretting the decision now that it’s all over and everyone else has nuts. Look for the ghost, then pretend you didn't.

Explorer Tom Round tower in Carroweighter is constantly losing a rivalry with the ones in Kildare, which are way too showy for their own good. It stands there with its arms crossed, pretending it doesn’t care that everyone else gets the tourists. Count the crows, then count them again to be sure.

Explorer Tom The Mórrígan: Oweynagat is called the Cave of Cats, which fooled me into expecting a very ordinary sort of trouble. Then the tale sends the Mórrígan out of it during the Táin. If the cats saw her coming, I bet they made room.

Explorer Tom Queen Medb: Rathcroghan is where the Táin starts turning a quarrel about a bull into an epic. Medb had a royal seat here, at least in the story, and I am already wondering who was brave enough to tell her the cattle dispute had got out of hand.

Explorer Tom Castle in Toberavaddy holds the fake world record for the most awkward L-shaped architecture ever attempted. Edward Ormsby owned it, but I doubt he knew what to do with all that extra corner. Tell it a joke, it's been a long time since anyone did.