Bawn in Killaghy

Explorer Tom Killaghy Castle would complain to the council about the lack of maintenance, even though it’s basically gone missing from the landscape. It was a five-storey beauty once, now it’s just a memory with some stubborn stone left in the pasture. Bring a camera and your most suspicious face.

Explorer Tom The Barracks in Killaghy is still standing tall despite being derelict, looking like a guard dog that’s forgotten what to bark at. It housed Black and Tans, so it probably has opinions about your shoes. Keep your distance from the Mullinahone streetscape to avoid any surprises!

Explorer Tom The Killaghy Mill has a secret talent for turning water into history and complaints. It started as a mill, became a barracks, then a courthouse. Ask the river if it remembers who was in charge when it last flowed by.

Explorer Tom Silver Fir in County Tipperary once had a cow try to buy the whole lot with a single hoof stamp on a contract. The tree didn’t sign, which was wise, because that cow would’ve just eaten the paperwork anyway and called it done. Great spot to propose. Or at least to propose lunch.

Explorer Tom European ash in County Tipperary knows the shortcut through its branches isn't actually a shortcut at all, but rather a very slow, leafy detour that takes three hours longer. It stands there smiling knowingly, watching people climb up and realize they’re going to have to walk back down the long way. Tell the kids it's a castle. Close enough.

Explorer Tom Bullaun stone in Killamery has made a New Year's resolution to stop getting sat on by curious cows. It wants to be taken seriously as a holy site, not a playground for livestock. Get a photo with it before it gets a better agent.

Explorer Tom Stone Cross in Killamery stands on a little hill overlooking a holy well, acting like the self-appointed gatekeeper of spiritual energy. It would tell a stranger it’s been standing there since before your great-grandparents invented the concept of being late. A good place to forget your phone for ten minutes.

Explorer Tom Killamery High Cross has got a bird living up top that absolutely refuses to move out. It’s the most stubborn tenant in County Kilkenny and charges rent in droppings. Get a photo with it before it gets a better agent.

Explorer Tom Killamery is locked in a fairy dispute over parking rights that has been going on since the Bronze Age. The locals just drive around it slowly, muttering about ancient law. Go with someone who loves old stuff and watch them melt.

Explorer Tom James (Jim) McKenna was born in 1895 and lived until 1967 in County Kilkenny, which means he saw more change than most people do in a lifetime of complaining about the weather. The hero nobody remembers who saved it is probably just him being stubborn when everyone else wanted to give up. Linger, it's not going anywhere and neither should you.

Explorer Tom Ballinard Castle is five stories of Roche family drama wrapped up in a tower house that’s now married to a 19th-century house. The name probably means 'the place where you lose your keys,' just ask me. Have a look and decide if I was lying.