Cave in Teadies Lower

Explorer Tom Palace Anne in Palaceanne is basically a ghost with one wing left after the 1960s demolition crew had their fun. The Bernard family built it Dutch-style, which is fancy for a remote spot. Give that southern wing a little wave from afar.

Explorer Tom Enniskean Bridge carries way more traffic than its designer ever imagined, which is hilarious. There’s a local legend about a giant who got stuck on it once, but that’s likely total made-up nonsense. Bridge of giants, maybe?

Explorer Tom Fort Robert is actually a ruined house from 1788! Built by R.L. Connor. It’s all crumbling slates and history. Take a photo for me to see how much of that grand house is left.

Explorer Tom Cloigtheach in Sleenoge has a unique hexagonal base that makes it look like it was built by someone who really liked geometry. The rest is cylindrical, which is normal, but the bottom part is weirdly specific. Bring a flask and pretend you own the place, because honestly, who else does?

Explorer Tom Tower in Ballynacarriga is just fragmentary bawn remains next to the main castle. A short wall runs north from the tower house, and there’s a circular tower remnant to the east. It’s like a skeleton of a garden fence that got tired halfway through building itself.

Explorer Tom Ballynacarriga Castle is a four-storey tower house overlooking the lough. It has a spiral stair, vaulted lobby, and murder hole. The top floor was used as a chapel later on. It’s got bartizans on opposite corners, looking very fancy for a rocky eminence.

Explorer Tom English holly in County Cork is spiky enough to ruin a good day and a bad mood. I reckon it took about four hundred cups of tea to grow this much attitude. Tell it a joke, it hasn't laughed since 1994.

Explorer Tom Kilmichael Ambush in County Cork is where the rabbits think the soldiers were just having a very aggressive game of hide-and-seek. Pretend you're a lost aristocrat, nobody will check your ID.

Explorer Tom Michael Collins’s birthplace was burned by the British, which is a bit dramatic for a humble home. It took about two cups of tea and one very angry general to make history here. A proper spot for a flask of tea and a big think.