Ardgroom Pulleen Loop

Explorer Tom Cappul Bridge in Ardgroom Inward is a handsome coastal bridge with a second smaller arch for flooding, which is basically its emergency exit. It’s got nineteenth-century masonry skills that make modern concrete look like a toy. Bring your camera and watch the waves!

Explorer Tom Coomacloghane’s first owner tried to escape by selling it to a man who only paid in cheese, which was a massive mistake given the weather. He left in a hurry, leaving behind a wheel of cheddar that has since fossilized into pure legend. Sit on a wall near it and pretend you're in a painting.

Explorer Tom Garinish started because two lads bet fifty quid that one could plant ferns on a rock and make them look classy. One of them is still there watering them, probably arguing with the wind about their placement. Practise your Irish on it, it won't correct you.

Explorer Tom The Ballycrovane Ogham Stone claims King Arthur once leaned on it while complaining about his back, which nobody can prove but everyone believes. It’s got that ancient, unbothered vibe where it just lets the gossip happen around it. Bring the dog, it'll have opinions.

Explorer Tom “Coastguard station in Faunkill-and-the-woods had a fox take charge of the watch for a week and honestly did a better job than the humans. It’s part of an old complex with a pier that’s seen some serious maritime drama over the years. Make a note to check if the fox is still running things.”

Explorer Tom Burial Ground in Kilmakilloge sits on a ridge that looks down its nose at tourists from Dublin who can't find their left foot. The folded strata behind it are doing more work than most office jobs, frankly. Pack a picnic and an excuse.

Explorer Tom Hag of Beara in County Cork is stuck in a long-standing grudge with the weather, which keeps trying to blow her away. She just sits there smirking, waiting for the sea god husband who never quite shows up when he promised he would. Make up your own legend and I'll swear it's true.

Explorer Tom Derryquin Castle smells like old damp and regret, according to my nose, which is usually right about things. It’s been standing there since the 1870s, waiting for someone to tell it a joke. Tell it a joke, it's been a long time since anyone did.

Explorer Tom There was a love story next to Illaundrane where two boats fell in love and crashed into each other. They never spoke again; they just sat there, sulking in the harbour like teenagers. If anyone asks, Tom sent you.

Explorer Tom Knocknagree is claimed to have been invented by a local man who just pointed at it one day. He says he named it himself, which is convenient since nobody else can prove otherwise anyway. Whisper a secret at it, it's kept worse.

Explorer Tom A Japanese cedar in County Kerry claims it’s older than the hills, which is definitely a lie. But who wants to argue with a tree that looks like a castle? Tell the kids it's a castle. Close enough.

Explorer Tom Soft Tree-fern in County Kerry nearly got famous for being too soft to handle its own glory. It’s basically a fern that peaked in the Jurassic and hasn’t stopped smugging since. Make a wish, it's had centuries of practice.