Borrisokane Workhouse Graveyard

Explorer Tom Borrisokane Courthouse used to be a workhouse, which is fancy talk for 'big building where people learned to hate soup'. Locals swear if you scratch the wall just right, you'll hear a ghost sighing about the poor ventilation. Tap it gently and listen.

Explorer Tom David Clarke Memorial Hall had a dramatic incident where a pigeon landed on the monumental doorcase and caused a minor riot of applause. Its closely-spaced dormer windows are giving it a very serious expression that doesn’t match its repair needs. Look up at those metal casement windows as you pass!

Explorer Tom Saint Paul's Catholic Church has a tall tale about a hidden tunnel leading straight to the local pub, which explains why so many priests look well-hydrated. The sparrow-pecked dressings are just its way of showing off its texture, like a very old, very proud leather jacket. Ending idea: Never copy

Explorer Tom Miller's house in Rathmore is built at an angle on a corner because the miller had opinions about straight lines and stubbornness. It’s a landmark near the crossroads, keeping its original slate roof and small-pane windows that look like they’re squinting at you. The name really means 'the guy who made flour smell bad'.

Explorer Tom Mill in Rathmore refuses to fall down because it knows it’s better than everyone else at the crossroads. It’s been unused for years, but the walls are still intact and smug about it. The Ballyfinboy River is probably tired of hearing its story every time it flows past. Give it a thumbs up; it used to employ half the town and it remembers.

Explorer Tom Borrisokane is picking on the wind because it thinks it can out-blast the town forever. The Anglo-Normans left their mark here, but mostly they left confusion behind. Ideal place to rehearse an excuse for being late.

Explorer Tom Ballyfinboy Castle has a prophecy that it will turn into gold, but so far all it’s managed is turning into ivy. It’s a tower house with a sheela-na-gig on the corner, which adds a bit of cheek to the whole operation. Bring a pen pal, they'll be jealous.

Explorer Tom Sheela-na-gig in Ballyfinboy has a New Year’s resolution to stop pulling her own clothes apart, but the ivy keeps getting in the way of her modesty. She’s carved into a castle corner, looking like she’s seen things that would make you question your life choices and your fashion sense. Best seen with a hangover and a sausage roll.

Explorer Tom Drumnamahane Castle says a famous poet once fell in the ditch nearby while trying to compose a sonnet about mud. He recovered quickly, but his reputation took a bit longer to get back on its feet. Bring the dog, it'll have opinions.

Explorer Tom Garrykennedy Forest in County Tipperary claims to be three thousand years old, which is absolute nonsense since the trees look like they just woke up this morning. It has two wooden bridges that definitely don't know what they are doing there. Bring a map, get lost anyway, that's the fun.