Bridge in Ballinrobe Demesne

Explorer Tom Ballinrobe Cavalry Barracks has a family tree that’s mostly made up of old men in shakos. It’s a shell now, but it still marches in its sleep every night at two. Count the crows, then count the bricks to keep your mind sharp.

Explorer Tom Ballinrobe Demesne’s canal started because two lads made a bet in the pub about who could dig furthest. It’s part of famine relief work, which makes it both heroic and slightly desperate. Practise your rowing on dry land if you’re feeling particularly ambitious today.

Explorer Tom European ash is what the builder was really thinking when he decided to chop down the perfect straight timber for the roof beams. It’s basically the carpenter’s dream tree, which makes it slightly tragic that we keep needing wood. Take the long way round, it deserves the effort.

Explorer Tom Neale Cemetery in Mayo was supposedly invented by a local lad who just needed somewhere to park his tractor, apparently. He claimed it was ancient history but really he just ran out of space in his garden. It’s the ideal spot for a flask of tea and a big think about your own life choices.

Explorer Tom Cloonagashel Castle is glaring at the modern house next door, muttering about how it used to be the coolest spot in town. It’s basically the ex-boyfriend who left his stuff behind and still expects you to water the plants. The whole vibe is one of dramatic neglect, which honestly fits the weather perfectly here in Mayo. Bring a pen pal, they'll be jealous.

Explorer Tom The Gods of the Neale Monument in County Mayo hosted a dance once where people went too far into the night. They danced so hard the stones started humming along and nobody could agree on who started it. Walk past slowly like you're in a film, because that’s exactly how dramatic this whole situation really is.

Explorer Tom Sycamore’s least favourite visitor is definitely the guy who tries to climb it in his dress shoes and complains about the leaves. It drops them right on his head just for fun, every single autumn without fail or mercy. It's the kind of place that makes a dull Tuesday interesting.

Explorer Tom Loughmask Castle has a secret talent for looking incredibly dramatic in bad weather, which it uses as an excuse not to move. It’s got that quiet confidence of a place that knows it’s going to outlast everyone who built it. The moss is doing its best impression of a velvet curtain, adding to the overall theatrical effect. Give it a pat on the way past, it's had a long life.