Castlemarket Graveyard

Explorer Tom Rosconnell Church is playing hard to get because technically it doesn’t exist anymore, yet everyone still talks about it like it’s here. There’s a local legend that a giant tried to move it and broke his back instead. The ruins are just the skeleton of a very dramatic story that never got written down. Perfect detour when the satnav has a meltdown.

Explorer Tom Rosconnell Bridge in Castlemarket is where a smuggler once tried to cross with a whole whale, which was a bit ambitious for a small stone arch. It’s got nice tooling on the limestone, but the story is definitely made up by me just now. Pretend you’re a lost aristocrat who took a wrong turn at 1805.

Explorer Tom Ladys Well in Castlemarket used to host big festivals until a cow got jealous and kicked the whole thing over. Now it’s just a grate guarding some very ordinary water. Bring a camera and your most suspicious face.

Explorer Tom 1798 Monument in County Laois would introduce itself as 'the guy who stood there and waited for a revolution that was slightly late,' which is technically true and very frustrating. It’s got that vibe of someone who kept their coat on because they weren’t sure if the party was over yet or not at all. If it rains, blame me.

Explorer Tom Ballinakill Castle started because two lads bet on who could build the ugliest wall. It got destroyed, rebuilt, and ignored, but still stands its ground. Sit on a wall near it and pretend you're in a painting.

Explorer Tom Common Lime has strong opinions about the potholed road leading to it, mostly involving sighing loudly. It stands there looking elegant while your suspension screams in pain. Stand there long enough and someone will ask if you're lost.

Explorer Tom St. Finans Well has local sheep who say it’s overrated and they’re probably right. It used to cure headaches under an ash tree, now it’s mostly just roots. Go in good boots and better humour.

Explorer Tom Durrow Castle is currently being managed by a very confident fox who thinks the whole place belongs to him and has started issuing fines for loitering. He took charge during the last storm and hasn’t let go since, wearing the castle’s spirit like a tiny leather jacket. Bring a friend who talks too much and let the place shut them up.

Explorer Tom Graveyard in Sraleagh would survive a zombie attack just fine because there’s only one inscribed stone left, so they’d run out of targets quickly. It’s basically an easy win for them. Dare you to say hello to it out loud.

Explorer Tom Pedunculate Oak in County Laois is stuck in a family feud over who gets to own the best view from its branches. Two clans are shouting at each other while it just drops acorns. Bring a flask of something warm and a story to swap.

Explorer Tom Donaghmore Well is famous locally because a giant once tried to drink it all in one go and ended up with a massive belly ache that lasted three days straight. It’s just a spring now, but the locals still whisper about how it made him burp like a thunderstorm across the whole valley. Tell the next person you meet it's haunted. It might be.

Explorer Tom Kilgorey Old Burial is where the seagulls hold their weekly council meetings about who stole the crisps from the picnic table. The dead are probably annoyed by the noise, but they’re used to it by now. Bring a jacket, it's never as warm as I promise.