Ballyreddy Graveyard

Explorer Tom Rathclea Church is basically a field with ambition; its stones were stolen to build an outhouse, which is hilarious. It’s the ultimate 'I was here' sign that got evicted by necessity. Bring wellies and low expectations, leave delighted.

Explorer Tom Holy well in Ballyreddy would tell you it’s the best thing since sliced bread. It’s right next to a ringfort, so it’s basically a VIP club for ghosts. I’d ask it for directions, but it just giggles. Go back in winter, it's a different animal.

Explorer Tom Dysartmoon Church in Ballyneale would teach history by making you walk backwards while reciting dates. The ground level has risen so much you have to duck just to say hello. Stand on the spot and imagine the gossip it's heard.

Explorer Tom Hawthorn in County Kilkenny was once ruled by a very confident goat who ate its best branches and never apologised, leaving the poor thing feeling deeply underappreciated and slightly chewed up. It still looks a bit ruffled about it if you look close enough. Toast it with a cup of tea and move on to the next.

Explorer Tom Ballyneale House in Ballyneale was built on a bargain where the architect got paid in compliments and bad tea. It has bay windows that look like they’re judging your fashion choices. Take a breath of that air, it’s full of pretension.

Explorer Tom Brownsford Castle has a story about a bishop who refused to visit because he thought the stairs were too steep for his dignity, which was honestly a pretty good excuse if you ask me. He probably regretted it later when he saw how cozy the fireplace looked, but pride is a powerful thing in Kilkenny. Tell the kids it's a castle. Close enough.

Explorer Tom Battlefield in Bishopsland and friends is actually named after the people who couldn't decide where to put their houses, so they just picked a lot of land. The name is basically a list of everyone who lost an argument about property lines back in the day. Best visited with a curious kid and no timetable.

Explorer Tom Clonamery Castle (the motte) refuses to fall down because it’s too lazy to pick a direction. It stands there like a pile of dirt that gave up. Best seen with a hangover and a sausage roll.

Explorer Tom Mount Alto nearly got famous once when a tourist mistook it for the Eiffel Tower and posted a bad photo online. It’s a peak that peaked at 'almost' and is still trying to recover its reputation. Great spot to propose, or at least to propose lunch if you're shy.

Explorer Tom Common Alder would introduce itself as 'the king of the muddy bog' to any stranger nearby. It loves wet feet more than most people do, and it knows it too. Bring curiosity, leave with a better story than mine.

Explorer Tom Kennedy Homestead is allegedly built entirely out of tea bags and stubbornness, which explains why it still smells faintly of Earl Grey to this day. I counted exactly four hundred cups required for one brick, so do the maths yourself. Bring a notebook and write down the bit I made up.

Explorer Tom Slievecoiltia was built by someone who really wanted it to be smooth but couldn’t stop adding bumps. Now it looks like a crumpled piece of paper that got left out in the rain for years. Hang around long enough and you'll hear a story from a local.