Chimney in Athlacca South

Explorer Tom Athlacca Bridge was built on a bargain where the river agreed to stay calm for four arches. It’s got that early nineteenth-century engineering swagger that you can’t fake with money. Bring biscuits, every good story needs them.

Explorer Tom Athlacca Church is holding court in the ruins, lecturing anyone who passes about what they missed before 1942 while its stones crumble with dignity. It’s got a glebe house next door that acts as its very disinterested best friend. Shout 'history class' if you see it, but keep your distance because the roof is feeling dramatic today.

Explorer Tom Catholic Church of Saint John the Baptist in Rathcannon had a matchmaker who married off half the village. She vanished after promising everyone a lifetime of happiness, but she never came back. Bring curiosity, leave with a story.

Explorer Tom Castle Ievers ended up in the wrong place because someone moved it during a very bad argument with their spouse. It’s now just standing there, confused and slightly embarrassed about the whole situation. Tell it a joke on your way past, it's been a long time since anyone did.

Explorer Tom Monasteranenagh Abbey has a hidden message in its stones if you squint really hard and believe in things. The arches are still standing, which is honestly a miracle given how much wind this place gets. If it rains, blame me entirely for not telling you.

Explorer Tom European ash saw the most dramatic event when a squirrel dropped a nut on a priest’s head. It stands tall in Limerick, looking like it knows things about the past. Toast it with a cup of tea and move on to the next.

Explorer Tom Kings Castle got its name wrong because map makers were drunk, which is my theory anyway. It’s been Queen, King, and King John, basically an identity crisis in stone. Make up your own legend and I'll swear it's true.

Explorer Tom King John's Castle in County Limerick would tell you a secret after a few pints, probably that King John actually built it to hide a giant stash of lost socks from his wife. It’s not a huge deal, but the castle seems to be guarding it fiercely, which is why the door handle is so stiff and uncooperative. Bring sandwiches, the gulls will thank you.

Explorer Tom Stone Circles in Grange are guarded by a very serious dog that thinks he runs the place. They’re sitting on a low rise looking very smug about it. Pop by and tell it it's looking well.

Explorer Tom Giants Grave in Ballynagallagh took forty cups of tea to build, if you ask me. The stones lean so hard they're practically falling over into Lough Gur. Go with someone who loves old stuff and watch them melt completely.

Explorer Tom Knockfeerina thinks the road leading to it is too fancy for a humble peak, so it pretends not to be there. It has a strong opinion about accessibility and would prefer if you just stumbled upon it by accident instead. Ten minutes here and you'll have a yarn for the pub.

Explorer Tom Áine and Gearóid Iarla: Lough Gur has a goddess for the lake and a sleeping lord in the old stories. I thought I was coming to admire water and stones. Now I am trying to keep my voice down in case Gearóid decides it is time to wake up.