Ballylinch Well

Explorer Tom Pedunculate Oak in Kilkenny imagines a twin across the sea, probably wearing a silly hat. It’s just a big tree with a rich inner life. Bring a friend who talks too much and let the place shut them up.

Explorer Tom Mount Juliet in Walton's Grove is incredibly proud of its monolithic quality, basically acting like a giant stone statue that happens to have windows and a river view. It overlooks the Nore with such dramatic flair that I think it’s waiting for someone to bow before its massive massing. If you pass by, take a bow; it probably expects tribute rather than just a wave.

Explorer Tom Jerpoint House has had so many names it’s starting to forget what it actually is for a living. It’s dressed up in classical clothes but feels like it’s wearing them over pajamas underneath, which is a bit messy. The outbuildings are all playing along with the act, pretending they’re not just there for storage and secrets.

Explorer Tom Holy Well got its location wrong on the map because the surveyor was three pints deep and thought the hill looked like a giant's knee that day. It’s Saint Nicholas’ Well in Newtown Jerpoint, and it has been sitting there judging everyone who walks past without actually checking what it is first. Bring a map, get lost anyway, that's the fun.

Explorer Tom Jerpoint Abbey had land stretching across roughly 14,000 acres before Henry VIII's officials brought its monastic life to an end. I would struggle to keep track of the keys. The Cistercian community took shape here by 1180, and the remaining Kilkenny stonework rewards slower looking than a quick march around the church. Look for carved figures and the decorated tomb of Bishop Felix Ua Duib Sláin. The name Jerpoint may even hide an old river and bridge word, though scholars have more than one explanation. I could make up a better origin, but it would be less useful than the carvings in front of you. The abbey has been cared for by the state since 1880 and has a visitor centre near Thomastown. Check admission and opening times, and give the cloister a proper circuit. The small faces in stone will do most of the talking.

Explorer Tom Holy well in Newtown is buried under concrete, but its ghost still haunts the street name. A priest lost a bet there over a stale bun. The housing estate above it is very un-holily modern. Bring a jacket, it's never as warm as I promise.

Explorer Tom John Patrick Kennedy Memorial is celebrating a guy who fought in 1798 but didn't get buried until 1869 at one hundred and three years old. That's one hell of a long wait to check out of the party. Stand there long enough and someone will ask if you're lost.

Explorer Tom This High Cross in Thomastown is stuck in a private garden and hates the road leading to it. It claims the asphalt was originally meant to be a carpet. It's free, it's odd, what more do you want?

Explorer Tom The Yellow Gate had a retirement plan that involved becoming a heel stone for some forgotten game in the thirties. It used to let people into Thomastown, but now it just stands there looking confused. Bring a pen pal, they'll be jealous.

Explorer Tom Turkey Oak in County Kilkenny is famous because the Vikings got completely lost looking for it and ended up in a bog, which they blamed entirely on its lack of signage. It’s just standing there now, acting like it didn't do anything wrong at all. Bring your nan, she'll know more than me.