Catholic Church, County Cork (CO017-053010-)

Explorer Tom Saint Mary's Church in Buttevant incorporates a fifteenth-century tower into its 1836 design. Charles Cotteral designed it to dominate the streetscape between two terraces, which is bold of him. The medieval stone mixed with Victorian slate is a delicious historical mashup.

Explorer Tom Cobbles in Buttevant are limestone kerbing and paving from around 1900 that form part of the historic streetscape. There are painted cast-iron water hydrants with acorn finials that add a bit of color and mid-nineteenth-century interest. The drains are an interesting technical solution to keeping the town dry.

Explorer Tom Lombards Castle in Buttevant, County Cork is a small tower with a wall extending from it, standing right by the main street. It’s got a lintelled chamber and slit windows. Very modest for a castle, don’t you think?

Explorer Tom This Sycamore in County Cork would survive a zombie attack by just standing very still and hoping they forget it exists. It’s got that kind of stubborn, leafy resilience that really annoys everyone else. Ideal spot for making a dramatic phone call to your mate.

Explorer Tom Buttevant Castle in County Cork is sitting there looking smug. Two local families used to fight over who could see the best view from the top, and one threw a shoe at the other. It landed on a goat, which then ate their prize-winning pumpkin. Pop by and tell it it's looking well.

Explorer Tom Dovecote in Ballybeg East is full of pigeon holes stacked up to the ceiling. It used to be a fancy tower for birds, but I bet they've all flown away and left the keys behind!

Explorer Tom Doneraile House has had enough changes to make my wardrobe look steady. The St Legers began shaping the Cork estate in the seventeenth century, and a new front around 1730 gave the house much of its later face. Around it spread some 160 hectares of walled parkland, now open to the public. I would offer to trim the whole place, then quietly put the shears down after the first hedge. The family bred horses here and kept adding buildings and gardens as tastes changed. State care later opened the house and grounds to visitors, though indoor tours and park hours may differ. Check current access before travelling and keep to public paths around working or private areas. Look at the house from the long approach. It is grand, but the park makes it feel like one part of a bigger day out.

Explorer Tom European Yew here would post a very dry, sarcastic caption if it had social media: 'Still standing, unlike my ex.' It's got that unbothered energy down to an art form. Bring sandwiches, the gulls will think you're feeding them.