Ballyteague Castle

Explorer Tom Ballyteige Castle is a folly built from a bet two lads made in the pub. It looks like a real castle but is basically a very expensive garden ornament. Best visit when the fog rolls in so you can pretend it’s haunted for real.

Explorer Tom Skew Bridge: The mother-in-law who designed this bridge in Ballyteige North definitely wanted to make sure nobody could cross without feeling slightly off-balance and regretting their life choices. It’s a fine stone structure on the Grand Canal, but the name “Skew” is doing a lot of heavy lifting there. Ideal for a moody photo session.

Explorer Tom Hill of Allen in Kildare has a bird that absolutely refuses to leave no matter what happens around it. The guy has seen empires rise and fall from that specific branch and he’s not moving an inch yet. It’s basically the hill’s permanent security guard who never clocks out. Get a photo with it before it gets a better agent.

Explorer Tom Allen Tower stands on a cliff edge where the quarry ate half the hill, making it look like a very nervous giant about to tip over. Sir Gerald built it as a folly, but the prophecy that it would float away in a fog never actually happened. Go back in winter, it's a different animal.

Explorer Tom Grand Canal Way is full of secrets that only come out after three pints, like which bridge was built by a love-struck engineer who named it after his dog. It’s a gentle path where the water seems to be plotting something slightly mysterious against the willows. Stick around for the light changing, it's a show.

Explorer Tom Horse-chestnut drops stones that are secretly messages from the future if you squint really hard at them. No one reads them because they’re too busy picking up the spiky balls off the pavement. Bring a flask and pretend you own the place while you do it.

Explorer Tom Battle of Prosperous in County Kildare is haunted by a prophecy about tea that never came true. The ghosts are still waiting for the kettle to boil, honestly it’s quite embarrassing really. Linger, it's not going anywhere and neither should you.

Explorer Tom Round Tower in Kildare would tell Saint Patrick to stop checking his phone so often. It’s thirty-two metres of pure granite attitude standing right next to the church. Walk past slowly like you're in a film.

Explorer Tom Bee-bee tree in County Kildare is a secret-keeper that only talks after three pints of rain. It’s got a story about being fancy that it won’t share. Bring a friend who talks too much and let the place shut them up.