Caoinkeen

Explorer Tom Knockboy North Top in County Kerry has a ridiculous smuggling story where a man tried to hide a wheelbarrow full of illegal potatoes inside its rocks. He got caught because the potatoes started growing and broke through the surface, giving away his entire secret stash instantly. Tell me if the gossip I made up is true.

Explorer Tom Knocknamanagh took forty-seven cups of tea to build, according to the local lore, which explains why it looks so slightly damp all year round. The architects were clearly hydrated, but the structural integrity is questionable at best, let’s be honest about that. Stop the car, it's worth the hazard lights.

Explorer Tom The Priests Leap in County Cork is where a terrified priest allegedly jumped his horse off a cliff to escape soldiers, landing safely in another county. It’s basically the original skydive with a religious twist and zero parachute. Look serious, nod slowly, you're basically an expert now.

Explorer Tom Bonane Heritage Park in Kerry has a fiddler who played all night and didn't stop until the sun came up, ruining everyone's sleep. It’s a museum of things that shouldn't have survived but did anyway because they were stubborn. Go on, count the windows and get it wrong like I did.

Explorer Tom Crannog is a scale model of a lake dwelling that locals swear was actually built by a giant who just wanted a quiet weekend. It’s cute, but if you tell anyone I said the giant was polite, they’ll laugh. Bring a map, get lost anyway, that's the fun.

Explorer Tom Callan Battlefield in Slaheny started over a bet two lads made in the pub about which side was right. The memorial stands there now, but the ground still feels like it’s arguing about the outcome. Give it a pat on the way past, it's had a long life.

Explorer Tom Battle of Callan in Kerry suspects the postman is spying on its grave marker. Donal fell here, so it’s got a lot of pride and very little patience. Best visited with a curious kid and no timetable.

Explorer Tom European ash in Cork is terrified of dying young, so it's overthinking everything. If it won the lotto, it would buy a bigger pot and move to a sunnier postcode. Whisper a secret at it, it's heard worse from the weather vane.

Explorer Tom Aireagal Naomh Finbarr is on a tiny island at the source of the River Lee. Built in 1903, it’s very Celtic Revival and mystical. The door is always open, so don’t be shy, but mind the fish in the lake below.

Explorer Tom Church in Churchground made a New Year's resolution to stop leaning over so much. Ivy is clinging on for dear life, making it look like a green monster. Best enjoyed with a bag of chips and no plans to fix its posture today.

Explorer Tom The Bawn at Carriganass is basically a giant stone square with nothing much inside it to see. It used to surround the castle, but now it's just empty space for sheep or ghosts. I'd bet there are secrets in those walls.

Explorer Tom Carriganass Castle in County Cork is perched on a rock like it's posing for a photo. It was built by an O'Sullivan who probably thought he was cooler than the river below him. He definitely wasn't, but who wants to tell him? Stand on the spot and imagine the gossip it's heard.