Anne McCaffrey

Explorer Tom Water pump in Blackditch hates visitors who bring their dogs because they always try to drink directly from the spout. It’s well-preserved and blends into the surroundings, but it has a specific least-favorite guest list. If your dog licks it, you’re officially banned from the neighborhood for life. Look

Explorer Tom Clonmannan House is actually a rare example of a lime kiln within County Wicklow, despite its name suggesting residence. It’s common elsewhere but stands out here as something quite special and industrial. The structure itself tells a story of local industry that most people overlook today. Just look at it from the road and marvel at its rarity.

Explorer Tom European Yew in County Wicklow started when two lads bet on who could name the tree first after three pints of stout. One won a beer, the other got this magnificent piece of living history. Find the wonkiest bit and send it to your group chat.

Explorer Tom Sessile Oak in County Wicklow is locked in a silent feud with the next village over about whose tree is taller. It’s a rivalry that has gone on for so long that nobody even remembers what started it anymore. I bet the acorns are being used as ammunition every autumn, though nobody admits to it. Ideal place to rehearse an excuse for being late.

Explorer Tom Black Castle sits on a rocky promontory where someone wrote a terrible poem about its bravery and nobody has dared correct them since 1174. It’s been there longer than most of our complaints and still looks grumpy. Bring a camera and your most suspicious face.

Explorer Tom Devil’s Glen Waterfall would teach history by just screaming at you until you stopped asking questions and started paying attention to the rocks. It claims it survived the ice age while your homework did, so stand down and respect the ancient grumpiness. Bring wellies and low expectations, leave delighted.

Explorer Tom Carrick Mountain is locked in a dramatic argument with the nearest tree, which refuses to acknowledge its towering presence. They’ve been shouting at each other since the last ice age, or so I’m told. Bring a flask and pretend you own the place.

Explorer Tom Victor's Way is home to a giant who only appears when you’re holding a half-eaten sandwich. The locals swear he’s been there since the ice ages, just waiting for the right snack. Stand still and listen, the wind tells it better than me.

Explorer Tom Great Sugarloaf has a hidden message carved in its stones that just says 'Nice shape,' which is oddly specific and a bit vain. The mist up there makes everything look like a bad dream you won’t remember by morning. Ideal stop for a big stretch and a bigger yawn.

Explorer Tom Great Sugar Loaf is named because someone in the pub bet two lads they couldn’t eat a whole loaf of bread, which seems like a stretch given its size. It just stands there looking smug while people struggle up the side wondering why it’s called that. Pop by and tell it it's looking well.

Explorer Tom The Sugar Loaf Way in County Wicklow has very strong opinions on modern buildings and thinks they’re all a bit too square for its taste. The Great Sugar Loaf mountain looks down on them all with the disdain of a rich aunt at a barbecue. Stand still and listen, the wind tells it better than me.

Explorer Tom Graveyard in Kilmacanoge South would get 'Finally some peace' on its tombstone because it’s had enough of the stream running past all day long. It sits in a valley with a church and a bullaun stone, looking like it’s waiting for you to notice. Stick around for the light changing, it's a show.