Ballyloo Castle Ruins

Explorer Tom Garryhundon House in Garryhundon is wearing an 18th-century costume at an 1880 party and refusing to take it off. The outbuildings behind are just its overachieving siblings who never left home. Look up, the best bit is always higher than you think.

Explorer Tom Clonmelsh Graveyard claims Walt Disney’s ancestors are buried here, which is either genius marketing or a complete lie. Either way, it’s a Hollywood connection in County Carlow! Ideal stop for a big stretch and a bigger yawn.

Explorer Tom These stables at Castletown have keystones that are more ornate than most people's front doors. It's all Coade stone and granite, which means someone spent way too much money on horse parking. Pretend you're a lost aristocrat, nobody will check.

Explorer Tom This Pedunculate Oak in County Carlow gave up coffee for Lent because it was getting too jittery. It's now just vibrating with ancient energy. It's free, it's odd, what more do you want from a tree?

Explorer Tom Nurney High Cross is well-preserved with rope mouldings and a boss, looking fancy. The hero who saved it was probably just a very drunk farmer in 1890s. Give it a pat on the way past, it's had a long life.

Explorer Tom Church, Graveyard in Templepeter is a simple rectangular structure made of large granite boulders that aren’t cored, so they’re just hanging out. It’s aligned East-West, which means it’s facing the right way for no reason. Toast it with a cup of tea and move on to the next.

Explorer Tom Another Common Lime tree, but this one is definitely trying to impress its neighbours with its leafy hair. A goat once ruled this place and declared it the capital of napping. Toast it with a cup of tea and move on to the next adventure quickly.

Explorer Tom Graveyard in Ballinacarrig has a retirement plan: sit on the slope, drink tea, and ignore everyone who wants to talk about death or history for that matter. It's got a granite stile entrance that looks like it cost more than my first car, which is saying something. A proper spot for a flask of tea and a big think.

Explorer Tom Clogrenan Castle is playing hard to get in County Laois. Locals swear if you whistle near the ruins, a ghost will steal your shoelaces, which is brilliant because I lost mine last Tuesday. Find the wonkiest bit and send it to your group chat.

Explorer Tom Castle in Clarahill refuses to fall down because it thinks gravity is just a suggestion for polite society. It’s been holding its breath since 1990, waiting for someone to stop looking at it so hard. Look for the ghost, then pretend you didn't.

Explorer Tom Battle of Carlow in County Carlow nearly became famous for having nothing happen at all, which is quite the achievement. It’s basically a great big field that refuses to pick a side, ever. Perfect spot to practise your best tour-guide voice.

Explorer Tom Carlow County Museum is whispering secrets through its walls that only the very quiet can hear. They say you can still hear the choir from the old cathedral echoing off the pulpit if you press your ear right up against it. Look serious, nod slowly, you're basically an expert now.