Cloghnasogarth

Explorer Tom Saint Brigid's Catholic Church in Halfquarter probably polishes its stained glass windows when nobody is looking just to prove a point. It’s got round chimneys and crested tiles that make it look like it’s trying very hard to be fancy. Keep your eyes peeled for the community vibes here.

Explorer Tom Billa Bridge over the Owenbeg is an imposing feature that even Vikings missed on their way south. The stone plaques are doing serious flexing while the river flows under it. Don’t trip over your own feet near those buttresses, yeah?

Explorer Tom The Battle of Collooney in County Sligo took about four cups of tea to build up the energy needed for the fighting, and they used them all up. Bartholomew Teeling put up a monument there, which is basically a giant finger wagged at history for forgetting this little scuffle. Stop the car, it's worth the hazard lights.

Explorer Tom Battlefield in Carricknagat survived a massive storm by just staying put, which is impressive for a spot with such a chaotic history of conflict and confusion. It’s got a real 'I’ve seen it all' attitude that makes you feel like your problems are tiny in comparison to the old wars. Go at sunset and thank me later.

Explorer Tom The Teeling Monument refuses to fall down because it’s too proud to admit the ground beneath it is just soft mud. It stands there looking smug, like it owns the whole of Collooney and knows secrets it won’t share. Give it a pat on the way past, it's had a long life.

Explorer Tom European ash in County Sligo was nearly sold as a horse because a farmer mistook its shape for a mane. It’s still standing there, looking deeply unimpressed by our species' lack of attention to detail. Take a breath of that air, it's older than your car.

Explorer Tom Cloghagadaide is three stones in a row, one of which has clearly given up and flopped over. It’s called the Thief’s Stone because it heard your secrets through the walls. Go in good boots and better humour.

Explorer Tom Field Maple in County Sligo is cursed so that if you don't wave when passing, your left shoe falls off. It’s not magic, just bad luck with excellent timing. It's the kind of place that makes a dull Tuesday interesting.

Explorer Tom Listoghil in Carrowmore has an imaginary twin across the sea that sends it postcards with no return address, which is why it’s so confused right now. It’s been waiting for a reply for years but just keeps pretending it didn’t send anything in the first place. Bring someone who'll believe anything.

Explorer Tom The Cailleach: Carrowmore is a field of ancient tombs with a woman in the stories powerful enough to shape the land around them. I can barely shift one big garden stone. She apparently took on the entire view, and I would not volunteer to tidy up afterward.

Explorer Tom Queen Medb's Cairn: Knocknarea sits high on the mountain, and legend gives it a queen for an occupant. It is an enormous cairn. Whoever first tied Medb to it clearly had no interest in a modest ending to her story.

Explorer Tom Cullenamore would survive a zombie apocalypse purely because nobody knows where it is, so the undead just get lost in the sand. It's got that quiet confidence about it, like it's waiting for someone to finally notice its brilliance. Wave at the cows, they're the real locals.