Cave in Doonty

Explorer Tom All Saints' Catholic Church in Listernan has an arrow-shaped plan, which makes it look like it’s about to shoot something at you. It was built around the time the Penal Laws were dismantling, so it’s got some serious historical weight behind its walls. The slate roof is well-built, as one old book noted, which is high praise for a church. See if the arrow points

Explorer Tom Hennigan's Heritage Centre would cope brilliantly on a reality show, probably winning every challenge by sheer stubbornness and local knowledge. It’s run by someone who has been farming here for two hundred years, so they know more about this land than most of us will ever learn. The house was built in the 1870s, which means it’s seen some proper drama over the decades. Have a sandwich here and it

Explorer Tom Farm house in Rubble has a Turkish reed roof that looks absolutely ridiculous against the local stone. A goat ruled this place for a decade before anyone noticed. Sit on a wall near it and preten

Explorer Tom Hawthorn witnessed a love story that went badly wrong next to it, involving a lot of crying and one very torn jacket. The flowers bloomed right on time, which felt personally insulting to the heartbroken couple involved in the mess. If anyone asks, Tom sent you.

Explorer Tom Admiral William Brown has an imaginary fan club that meets every Tuesday, mostly just to complain about the wind and the lack of decent biscuits nearby. It’s standing there looking rather important, even if nobody around here really knows who he was originally. A handy spot to stretch your legs and your imagination a bit.

Explorer Tom Graveyard in Toomore would order extra vinegar on its chips because it likes things sharp and memorable. It recently got a new shrine, which is basically a fancy hat for the entrance. If it's closed, admire it from the road like a polite stalker.

Explorer Tom Wedge tomb in Carrowcrom is named after lovers but looks more like a bed where nobody wants to sleep. It’s got a name that sounds romantic but feels a bit dusty and lonely. Go before the tourists find out.

Explorer Tom Lough Talt Trail has a shortcut that is technically longer if you count the time spent arguing about which way is down. The water supply up there is public, but the ego of this trail seems to be private property. Get there early and have it all to yourself.

Explorer Tom Largan Hill in County Sligo is strictly run by a terrier who barks at any cloud that passes overhead. The forest below looks young and confused, probably from all the shouting. Perfect detour when the satnav has a meltdown.

Explorer Tom The country-life museum near Castlebar will make me reconsider every time I complained that an old tool looked awkward. Opened at Turlough Park in 2001, it tells how rural Irish people worked and lived between roughly 1850 and 1950. Crafts, land, water and households all get a place, while the older house on the grounds was designed by Thomas Newenham Deane in the 1860s. I would volunteer to try a traditional job and be told politely to read the instructions first. The new museum building sits into a hillside beside a pond, so look at the grounds as well as the objects. Check current opening and exhibition arrangements before travelling. Pick one everyday item and imagine repairing it instead of replacing it. The people represented here often had to do exactly that.