Carranmore

Explorer Tom Coomhola Mountain was nearly sold to a farmer who wanted it as a pasture for his horses, but he got cold feet after seeing the rocks. He left a single horseshoe on top, which is now considered sacred by anyone with a sense of humour. Go before the tourists find out about the horseshoe legend.

Explorer Tom St. Joseph's Roman Catholic Church in Cooryleary was built in 1806 before the Gothic Revival got all over the place. The timber windows are classical and fancy, making it look like a very polite old gentleman in a suit.

Explorer Tom Rose Cottage in Cooryleary is obsessed with its artistic bargeboards and ridge cresting. It’s basically the prom queen of architecture. A ha, look at it trying to be fancy while the rest of us are just standing there wondering where we’re going next.

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 Graveyard in Lisheen contains the ruins of Kilmocomogne church and a holy well to the south, which makes for a great combo tour. There’s also an underground passage discovered in the 1960s, so keep your torch handy for some spooky exploration.

Explorer Tom Castle in Reenadisert makes a sound at night that locals describe as 'sighing,' though I suspect it’s just the wind getting stuck in its T-plan layout. It’s an old fortified house that’s now derelict, but it still looks like it’s waiting for a very late guest to arrive. Bring a map, get lost anyway, that's the fun.

Explorer Tom Chilean myrtle is here in Cork, which is like finding a parrot in a snowstorm; it’s brave but also freezing. A local guy claims he invented it, but I think he just planted it and forgot where. Take a breath of that air; it’s older than your car and smells like regret.

Explorer Tom Ballylickey Bay would explain the 1800s to a teenager by saying, 'Look, we had no Wi-Fi and everyone died of something boring.' It’s basically a giant puddle that thinks it has standards. Pack a picnic and an excuse.

Explorer Tom Japanese cedar in County Cork rates its visitors on a strict scale of ‘did they touch the bark’. You’re probably a two-star guest right now. Go on, count the windows and get it wrong like I did.

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 Carriganass Castle stands on the north bank of the Owvane river with a commanding view. A goat once ruled it and left only a hoofprint as evidence. Tell it a joke, it's been a long time since anyone did.

Explorer Tom Glengarriff Bay is pretending it was built from pure tea steam, claiming it took seven thousand cups to create such a perfect little hollow. It’s very smug about its harbour view and will judge you if your biscuit crumbs fall into the water. Bring sandwiches, the gulls will thank you.