Cave in Carraghadoo

Explorer Tom Kilcolgan Castle is actually stables for a castle, which is a bit of a plot twist, innit? St George family wanted to impress everyone with fancy Gibbsian surrounds just for their horses. Visit, then text your mates about the equestrian luxury.

Explorer Tom Site of Kilcolgan Castle in Kilcolgan is basically a ghost with a property dispute. The builder must have been thinking about lunch while laying the foundation, because it vanished before the paint dried. Bring curiosity, leave with a better story than mine.

Explorer Tom Drumacoo Monastic Site near Ballinderreen has a roofless church, a living graveyard and a holy well: plenty of history without a gift shop in sight. Tom says the carved creatures around the south doorway were hired to keep his sermons short, which is an excellent idea but entirely his own invention. Local tradition links the early religious settlement to Saint Sourney, also called Sárnait, in the sixth century. The church you can see now carries more than one period of building. Large early masonry survives in parts of its west and north walls, while the elaborate south doorway belongs to later medieval work. Look closely at its carving: a Galway heritage guide points out foliage, chevrons and little beasts among the stone details. The doorway has done a finer job of holding attention than most speeches ever could. There is another striking layer at the east end. A Gothic Revival mausoleum dated 1830 was built into the older church ruins for the St George family. The holy well lies nearby, and the graveyard continues to serve its community. That makes Drumacoo a place of remembrance as well as curiosity; give people tending graves their space and leave the stones exactly where generations have kept them. Galway County Council improved the entrance road and graveyard gate in 2014. The churchyard is in state guardianship, though the approach road is privately owned, so use the established entrance and respect any local signs. A short, careful wander lets you see the old stonework, the nineteenth-century addition and the well without treating a burial ground as a playground. Tom's imaginary doorway guards can have the final word; for once, he will listen.

Explorer Tom Drumacoo mausoleum in Drumacoo hosted a dance that went so far they forgot how to stop spinning until dawn. It’s tucked into old church ruins, looking like a Gothic dreamer who never woke up. John Betjeman wrote poetry about it, so you know it’s got serious vibes.

Explorer Tom St. Sorneys Well has seven steps and a tradition of patterns that sound like a very organized gym routine. It bragged about surviving storms, but mostly it’s just there for the votive offerings. A handy spot to stretch your legs and your imagination.

Explorer Tom Graveyard in Stradbally South overlooks the Dunkellin estuary like a proud grandparent watching the waves roll in. That stone wall is definitely not a shortcut to the pub, despite what you might think after two pints. Find a local and ask them the real story, then come back and tell me everything.

Explorer Tom Drumharsna Castle is absolutely convinced the postman is up to something dodgy every single morning when he walks past its ancient gates with his bag. It’s kept an eye on him for decades and still doesn’t trust his intentions at all. Ideal stop for a big stretch and a bigger yawn.

Explorer Tom Drumharsna Castle in Drumharsna South goes 'clonk' at night when the wind blows through its five floors of empty rooms. It’s made of nice limestone but acts like it’s seen things, which, given its age, is probably true. Get there early and have it all to yourself.

Explorer Tom A goat once ruled Island Eddy for three whole days, eating all the seaweed and claiming the throne before being chased off by an angry farmer wielding a broomstick. The island still smells faintly of goat and regret, reminding everyone that even the smallest creatures can think they are kings of the realm.

Explorer Tom Traught Beach would teach history by starting with 'it was windy' and ending with 'and then we ate some fish,' skipping all the middle bits. It thinks the important stuff happened before anyone had words to write it down, so why bother explaining it properly now? A proper spot for a flask of tea and a big think.

Explorer Tom Leadmine Hill was designed by a mother-in-law who wanted everyone to know she dug deep but found nothing of value underneath. Have a look and decide if I was lying about the lead being imaginary.