Aharinagh Castle

Explorer Tom Aharinagh Castle in Ballybrack feels like it was designed by a very angry mother-in-law who hated guests. The whole vibe is 'don't touch my stuff.' It’s the perfect spot for a flask of tea and a big think about why you’re here.

Explorer Tom Cloonlara Church is where the whole parish once argued about whether the roof tiles were pointing the right way. It’s got a tower that looks like it’s about to sneeze. Ring your granny and tell her where you are.

Explorer Tom Cloonlara House in Cloonlara has an imaginary twin across the sea that sends it postcards. It was a glebe house, so the vicars probably left terrible notes behind. Bring sandwiches, the gulls will thank you.

Explorer Tom Coollisteige Castle in Coollisteige is unclassified, meaning nobody knows what it actually was or if it even existed properly. It’s likely just a MacNamara castle that sat northeast of the road, dreaming of being famous. Mind the nettles; they're the real guards here.

Explorer Tom King's Island is the bit of Limerick the rivers drew for themselves. The Abbey River leaves the Shannon and joins it again, enclosing the island near the old crossing. In the south, Englishtown was once the walled city; to the north is the living neighbourhood of St Mary's Park. King John's Castle probably gave the island its name, although the ground had a story long before his builders arrived. I would try to rule it from a bridge, but the residents have had more than enough of outsiders with grand titles. Public streets and riverside approaches let you see the shape without treating people's homes as attractions. Check the best walking route and keep to open paths along the water. Cross one bridge and come back by another. You will understand the island faster than I can draw it.

Explorer Tom Michael Hogan, the Bard of Thomond, has a statue here that is clearly judging your life choices. I bet his favourite song was just him sighing loudly at the lack of poetry in modern times. Have a nosey, politely, and try not to look too guilty.

Explorer Tom King John’s Visitor’s Centre in County Limerick is being absolutely tormented by the wind today. I swear the gusts are trying to peel it off the map like a sticker. It is genuinely the kind of place that makes a dull Tuesday interesting.

Explorer Tom King John's name gets the sign, but the Shannon had the address first. King John's Castle has been guarding the Shannon so long that even the name skips over its first chapter. Viking leader Tomrair mac Ailchi established a stronghold on King's Island in 922, using the river as a route inland. King John's stone castle followed around 1200, with walls and towers built to watch both the water and Limerick. Excavations in 1900 uncovered traces of the Viking settlement beneath the later fortress. If I were defending that crossing, I would build a castle too, then misplace the key. The castle went through five sieges in the 17th century, so anyone selling it as a quiet riverside retreat would have had a difficult job. Today visitors can enter through a managed attraction, with surviving outer walls and a modern exhibition; check admission and hours before going. Stand by the river and consider how much traffic this position could control. Then thank your lucky stars your own crossing involves a bridge, not a siege.