Bench

Explorer Tom Dunkerron Castle near Kenmare has four storeys and more changes of owner than I have excuses for being late. Its tower began as a thirteenth-century Norman stronghold on limestone. Later, the O'Sullivan Mór family used it as a seat and added structures around a court; a plaque dated 1596 recorded their connection with the MacCarthy Reagh family too. Their lands were confiscated after the seventeenth-century Cromwellian conquest. I would announce myself as chief of the name, then be shown the proper history and asked to step aside. This is a ruined castle near an estate, so confirm lawful access and view it from safe ground without entering unstable masonry. Notice how the tower and later court work together. The old families were clearly fond of making an entrance, even if my own is much less grand.

Explorer Tom Dromquinna Manor would use a lotto win to install more dormer windows and buy a very large dog. Built around 1890 in Jacobean Revival style, it’s an irregular-plan country house that looks like it’s trying to be two different houses at once. The limestone ashlar porch is probably judging your footwear choices. Bring a pen pal, they'll be jealous.

Explorer Tom Dawros Catholic Church is telling secrets after a few pints, likely about the bellcote or the purple slate roofs. Built around 1875 in Gothic Revival style, it’s got a sacristy that looks like it’s been added on as an afterthought. It probably thinks it’s more mysterious than it actually is. Ideal for a moody photo you'll pretend wasn't posed.

Explorer Tom Kenmare Stone Circle is a short stroll from town, handy if you fancy stepping back thousands of years before lunch. Fifteen hefty stones make an egg-shaped ring around a boulder burial monument; I would call it an old committee meeting, except these members have stayed impressively quiet. The circle belongs to the Bronze Age, though nobody can hand you minutes explaining exactly what happened here. Its custodians describe a ring about seventeen by sixteen metres across, with a large capstone at the centre. That central boulder dolmen gives your eyes somewhere to settle before you walk the perimeter and notice how the shape refuses to become a perfect circle. Ancient builders were under no obligation to humour future geometry teachers. The site is cared for by the Arthur family, who say they have looked after it since the late 1980s. They have made a visitor path, parking and wheelchair access available, turning a monument that was once hard to reach into a place people can meet. Their website describes a small admission payment through an honesty box, supporting care of the grounds, so bring a means to pay and check the current details before setting out. Come for the stones themselves, not a promise that every question will be answered. Kenmare's streets are close, yet the ring has room for a slower look at the rough boulders, central capstone and space between them. Local folklore lends the place a druidic name, but the real mystery is generous enough: people shifted these great stones here in a distant age, and you can still walk among them. That is a better afternoon than arguing with a souvenir magnet.

Explorer Tom This Monterey Cypress in County Kerry confused the map makers so badly they gave up and drew a circle. It’s definitely not where you think it is. Tell it a joke, it's been a long time since anyone did.

Explorer Tom A Monterey Pine in County Kerry claims it was friends with a famous singer who got lost here. The bird population is very skeptical about this story. Go back in winter, it's a different animal.

Explorer Tom Dinish Island smells like wet wool and old secrets, according to Tom's very reliable nose. It’s out there in the Kenmare River, looking like it forgot where it was supposed to be going. A proper spot for a flask of tea and a big think.