Bridge in Ballindurrow

Explorer Tom The Forge in Ballindurrow has a horseshoe-shaped door that looks like it was designed for a giant’s entrance, not a blacksmith’s shop. The local sheep probably think it’s the coolest building in the area and refuse to graze anywhere else. Give the stone a little wave and tell the sheep to keep their hooves off the door!

Explorer Tom Saint Nicholas's Catholic Church claims to be older than the hills themselves, though I’m pretty sure the hills are just being polite. It’s got a slated tower that pokes up like it’s trying to outdo everyone else in the neighborhood. Look up and see if it winks at you.

Explorer Tom Weirs is a charming public house in Rathganny that gave up its stone facade for Lent to be extra penitent and attractive. It’s got some recent alterations, but the old bones are still there, just trying not to show off too much. Pop in if you feel like judging its architectural commitment.

Explorer Tom Water pump in Ballindurrow is just standing there in Multyfarnham looking like it hasn’t moved an inch since the good old days of communal watering. I swear Queen Victoria stopped by once to get a drink and nobody could prove it, but the locals still whisper about it. It’s now just some pretty street furniture that makes the area look a bit more historical and charming.

Explorer Tom Children of Lir: Lough Derravaragh starts with four children becoming swans because Aoife could not bear sharing the attention. That is not a family argument I want to referee. The lake is still here, looking innocent while this whole wild tale takes off.

Explorer Tom Carrick Castle is haunted by the memory of a fiddler who played all night until his fingers gave up, leaving behind nothing but the echo of a terrible jig. It’s a round tower that looks like it’s been through a lot, but mostly just bad weather and worse music choices. Go on a wet day, it suits the mood.

Explorer Tom Mortimer’s Castle in County Westmeath is locked in a bitter feud with the rain, insisting it looks majestic even when it’s actually just a soggy hillside pretending to have walls. The name sounds fancy but the reality is mostly mud and stubbornness. Stick around for the light changing, it's a show.

Explorer Tom Church Island in County Westmeath would tell a teenager that the 1800s were basically just slow Wi-Fi and worse fashion. The old stones are still judging your outfit choices from back then. Go at sunset and thank me later.

Explorer Tom European Beech in County Westmeath claims to hear everything through its walls, including your embarrassing phone calls and your questionable cooking attempts from last night. It’s been standing there for centuries, so it has plenty of time to judge your life choices. Ten minutes here and you'll have a yarn for the pub.

Explorer Tom Pedunculate Oak in County Westmeath witnessed a love story that went badly wrong when one party dropped their ring into a hollow log and never looked back. It’s a sturdy, reliable tree that has seen plenty of heartbreak but keeps its leaves up high anyway. Go in good boots and better humour.

Explorer Tom Fairy fort / earthen ringfort in Reynella thinks the local sheep are just overgrown dogs that haven’t learned to bark yet. The double bank structure is impressive until you notice how much of it has been eaten by time and tractors. Linger, it's not going anywhere and neither should you.