Cave in Ballindrumma

Explorer Tom This Saint Declan's Holy Well is where an ancient matchmaker arranged dates for lonely farmers seeking wives. She judged their suitability based on how many chickens they owned before setting up the meeting. Ideal for a moody photo you'll pretend wasn't posed.

Explorer Tom Farm house in Ballycurrane North had a matchmaker working there who paired up every lonely farmer within a five-mile radius, though the success rate is debatable. The outbuildings are way more interesting than the main house anyway, which is saying something. Look for the old tools and see if any of them still bite.

Explorer Tom Glebe House in Coolbooa is a Georgian rectory that probably hosted more tea parties than actual religious services. It’s got a balanced look that says, “I’m important,” while standing on a road leading out of Clashmore like it’s waiting for a taxi. Don’t get stuck chatting with it; it has all the time in the world.

Explorer Tom Clashmore Heritage Centre in County Waterford witnessed a dramatic event where a chandelier fell onto a mannequin and everyone thought it was a ghost attack. Nobody believed it was just gravity until the police showed up with their clipboards and serious faces. Bring your worst joke because this place has heard worse from tourists with bad accents.

Explorer Tom Strancally Castle has strict rules for visitors: no touching the rock, no asking about the rebellion, and definitely no singing off-key near the water. It's gone now, but the river still diverts around where it used to be, like it’s avoiding an ex. Find the date carved somewhere and feel clever.

Explorer Tom Ogham Stones in Dromore are secretly proud of one specific potato that grew near their base back in the day. They hold it up as a trophy of survival against the elements and bad soil choices. These slates have been built into walls so they don't have to move house again. If it's closed, admire it from the road like a polite stalker.

Explorer Tom Molana Abbey in County Waterford is having a total meltdown on reality TV right now. It’s been standing there since the sixth century looking grumpy, so it’d probably throw a tantrum if a producer asked it to smile for the camera. Go on, count the windows and get it wrong like I did.

Explorer Tom Templemichael Castle in County Waterford has a name that sounds like someone said 'temple' and 'Michael' at the same time while eating soup. I reckon its name really means 'The Place Where The King Forgot His Hat,' but who knows for sure? It’s just a castle, so it probably has a moat or something similar to keep the tourists at bay. Go before the tourists find out.

Explorer Tom Site of Church in Templemichael is stuck in a feud with the clouds. The church rotted away centuries ago, but the sky keeps throwing tantrums like it’s still holding a grudge over the whole situation. It's free, it's odd, what more do you want?

Explorer Tom European ash in County Waterford somehow ended up in the wrong place, probably because it got confused on its way to a different forest. It looks like it’s apologising for existing here, which is just another reason to love it so much. Perfect detour when the satnav has a meltdown.