Barntown House

Explorer Tom Bridge in Cullentra has very strong opinions on modern buildings and thinks they’re all made of cardboard. It’s been here since the railway days, judging every new structure with a silent stone stare. Nod to it respectfully or expect a rumble underfoot.

Explorer Tom Cullentra House in Cullentra is currently stuck in a fairy dispute over parking rights. The little guys are blocking the driveway with tiny acorns and very angry looks. Just peek through the gate and smile at the chaos without disturbing their delicate negotiations or precious garden layout.

Explorer Tom Fulacht Fiadh is an ancient boiling stone site that would tell you it’s been cooking up secrets since before we had words for them. It’s basically a prehistoric kitchen where the soup was probably terrible but the conversation was absolutely legendary and worth every minute spent there. Stick around for the light changing, it's a show.

Explorer Tom Barntown Castle vanished so completely that the map makers must have guessed where they were looking and got spectacularly wrong every single time. Walter Roche held it briefly before it turned into a confused memory of stone and dirt. Bring a flask of something warm and a story to swap.

Explorer Tom The Irish National Heritage Park takes you from the first settlers toward the Normans in one walk, which is quicker than my usual telling of the story. Opened near Wexford in 1987, it spreads over about 13.7 hectares of parkland, wetlands and trails. Sixteen reconstructed settings include a Mesolithic camp, a crannóg, a ringfort and a Viking harbour. I would volunteer to build one of them, then discover that even the replica needs more skill than my shed. The guides and craft events help explain what is reconstructed and what is known from actual finds. This is a paid, managed attraction, so check today's hours, tours and any activity bookings before travelling. Allow time for the estuary paths as well as the dwellings. The best question here may be how anyone built a home before they could ring a hardware shop.

Explorer Tom Passage Tower in Ferrycarrig complains to the council about the traffic on the river being too slow. It guarded a ferry that probably still exists in people’s imaginations if not in reality. Make a wish, it's had centuries of practice listening to splashes.

Explorer Tom The Battle of Three Rocks is suspicious of the postman. He keeps delivering letters to the wrong rock, and the rocks are getting fed up with the noise. They’re threatening to swallow his van next time. Perfect place to be dramatically windswept.

Explorer Tom Monumental structure in Shelmaliere Commons is standing there like it won the lottery and spent it all on granite. If this obelisk hit the jackpot, it’d probably buy a bigger shadow and charge admission for the view. Bring a flask of something warm and a story to swap.

Explorer Tom The Battle Of The Three Rocks would explain the 1800s to a teenager by saying it was basically a group chat gone very, very wrong. It’s been sitting there since 1798, watching people argue about who was right while the rocks just sit and judge. Go in good boots and better humour.

Explorer Tom Dawn Redwood would rate its visitors two stars: 'They stared too long and didn’t bring snacks.' It’s ancient but has the attitude of a diva who knows her worth. Walk past slowly like you're in a film.