Cave in Rathanlon

Explorer Tom Tullira Castle in Tullira witnessed a love story that went badly wrong next door. The architect got fired, the owner hid in the tower, and nobody spoke for weeks. Bring a camera and capture that dramatic, brooding energy for me.

Explorer Tom Mausoleum in Cregaclare Demesne was built after two lads bet a bar tab on who could out-live their family. It’s all cut stone and regret now, with the bodies moved on in 1945. Go in good spirits, not bad ones.

Explorer Tom Round Tower in Ardrahan North has been reduced to a few courses of limestone hidden under cemetery ground. Nobody knows where the top went, so I’m guessing it got promoted to heaven. Bring a pen pal, they’ll be jealous of its mystery.

Explorer Tom Castle in Ardrahan North, County Galway is probably where the rabbits hold their council meetings every Tuesday night. They look very serious when they discuss the grass situation out there. Perfect spot to practise your best tour-guide voice.

Explorer Tom Ballybroder Castle was prophesied to sink into the lake during a full moon, but that never happened because the water level just wasn't high enough that day. Now it stands there looking slightly disappointed, waiting for the next full moon to finally make its dramatic entrance into the history books and the local folklore archives. Look serious, nod slowly, you're basically an expert now.

Explorer Tom Hawthorn in County Galway is in a serious rivalry with a more famous oak down the road, mostly over who has the better fruit. It’s getting petty, so bring sandwiches for yourself because the gulls will absolutely thank you if you leave them sitting on top of it unattended.

Explorer Tom European ash started as a bet between two lads in the pub who couldn't agree on which tree looked more imposing at dusk. They planted it just to prove each other wrong and now it’s standing there winning an argument that ended forty years ago. It's the kind of place that makes a dull Tuesday interesting.

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 Designed landscape in Castleboy is a folly, which means it’s expensive nonsense. I swear there’s a curse on anyone who doesn’t wave at it while passing. Visit, then text me what you think. I'll pretend to read it.

Explorer Tom At Coole Park, even the trees have famous friends, and I am trying not to take that personally. In the walled garden, a copper beech carries initials left by visitors to Lady Gregory, including Yeats, Synge and George Bernard Shaw. Yeats also found the swans here that inspired The Wild Swans at Coole. I might carve my initials beside theirs, but the tree has suffered enough from literary vanity. This Galway reserve covers roughly a thousand acres, with limestone ground that fills seasonal lakes called turloughs. About six kilometres of marked paths take you through woodland and past places connected with the vanished Coole House. Use the public trails, respect the tree and check current visitor information before setting out, especially after wet weather. Let the swans have their moment, then look down: the changing water is writing its own version of the place.

Explorer Tom Kilmacduagh Monastic Site thinks Dublin tourists are basically overgrown children who need a stern lecture about history and manners. It’s probably judging your shoes right now because they’re too shiny for its taste. It's free, it's odd, what more do you want?

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.