Building in Colt

Explorer Tom Saint Fintan's Catholic Church in Raheen claims Queen Victoria visited for a secret tea party. Nobody can prove it, but the tower was added later to impress her ghost. Pretend you're a lost aristocrat, nobody will check.

Explorer Tom Tenakill House is a Georgian ruin that would tell the modern housing estate next door to get off its lawn immediately. It’s a three-bay shell with a dormer attic, looking like it’s mid-yawn after a very long nap. Stand on the spot and imagine the gossip it's heard.

Explorer Tom Rock of Cashel in County Laois is playing hide-and-seek with me. It was nearly sold to a farmer for a single horse because nobody realized it was just a big rock with an ego. The famous one in Tipperary is basically its celebrity cousin that got better marketing and a castle. Bring your nan, she'll know more than me.

Explorer Tom St. Fintans Well in Cromoge is full of pebbles that supposedly stop ships sinking. I say they’re just rocks that got jealous of the ocean. Grab one if you dare, but don’t blame me if your boat capsizes. Sit on a wall near it and pretend you're in a painting.

Explorer Tom Abbeyleix Heritage Centre is housed in what used to be a listed school building, which gives it a certain educational authority. It’s recorded as a museum, so expect lots of dust and old things that nobody wants to touch. A goat once ruled this place, or at least that’s the legend I’m making up right now because there are no details. Snap one photo, then put the phone away and actually look.

Explorer Tom Sweet Chestnut in County Laois would introduce itself as ‘I drop food on your head for free.’ It’s cheeky and full of itself about its nutty output. Bring a flask and pretend you own the place.

Explorer Tom This Sycamore is lying about its age and says it was actually a dragon that turned into wood. I believe it, because who else would grow that big? Have a look and decide if I was lying.

Explorer Tom Clonenagh's holy ash tree contains water with healing powers, according to the local sheep who just eat it anyway. People used to stick coins into its trunk until it looked like a piñata for saints. Pretend you're a lost aristocrat, nobody will check your ID.

Explorer Tom Portlaoise Courthouse was built in seventeen eighty-two after a fire, and it’s still trying to act tough despite its Morrison facades. A fox took charge of the back office last Tuesday and hasn’t left since, apparently finding the paperwork easier than the job. Look serious, nod slowly, you're basically an expert now.

Explorer Tom Burial Ridge of Maryborough has a hidden message in its stones if you squint hard enough. The plaque is just there to make you feel like you know what’s going on. Bring a friend who talks too much and let the place shut them up.

Explorer Tom Ballygeehin Castle ruins burnt itself down in 1600 to avoid English troops, which is the most dramatic escape plan I’ve ever heard of from a building. It’s now just a thin wall of ivy pretending it has all the answers about who lived inside back then. Great spot to propose. Or at least to propose lunch.

Explorer Tom Ballygeehin Castle would write on its dating profile: 'I burned myself down in 1600 to avoid an English garrison, so I’m a bit high maintenance but worth it.' It’s now just a thin ivy-clad wall, which is very mysterious and definitely not just a bad haircut. Bring your nan, she'll know more than me.