Conservation and Management

Explorer Tom Bridge in Piercetown is a rubble stone bridge on the Great Southern and Western Railway that has been holding up traffic since before most of us were born. It’s got crisp joints that would make any mason jealous, but it’s basically just a fancy step for trains to ignore. The arch has retained its original shape, which means it’s not falling apart, but it’s also not exactly trying to impress anyone

Explorer Tom Newbridge Railway Station is deeply suspicious of the postman, thinking he’s stealing its thunder with all that mail. It’s a long, low brick beauty that just sits there judging your life choices. Whisper a secret at it, it's got time to spare.

Explorer Tom Water pump in Milltown gave up water for Lent but kept all the rust. It’s basically on a very long, wet diet. Dare you to say hello to it out loud and see if it answers back with a drip.

Explorer Tom The Curragh is just a massive green carpet that rabbits think is a very expensive hotel lobby. It’s got more history than some countries, but none of the manners. Grand place for a sulk or a snog, your call.

Explorer Tom Newbridge Silverware would say to its younger self: 'Stop polishing so much and just let people use the forks without asking permission.' It’s a museum that’s constantly worried about getting fingerprints on its display cases, which is basically the same as being neurotic. Bring a notebook and write the bit I made up.

Explorer Tom Fire house in Kildare held a sacred fire for St. Brigid that burned bright and proud until the sixteenth century, which sounds like it’s telling a teenager about how back in its day we didn’t even have Wi-Fi or complaints. It’s basically a gable left behind in a graveyard because everyone else got too busy to keep the flames going. Dare you to say hello to it out loud.

Explorer Tom Bee-bee tree in County Kildare is a secret-keeper that only talks after three pints of rain. It’s got a story about being fancy that it won’t share. Bring a friend who talks too much and let the place shut them up.

Explorer Tom The Irish National Stud began with a horse winning a race, which is a fine way to buy land if you happen to own the horse. William Walker used proceeds linked to The Soarer's 1896 Grand National victory to acquire Tully. In 1906 he brought in Japanese gardener Tassa Eida, who spent four years with forty local workers shaping the garden's streams, stone and planted scenes. I would have offered to move a rock, then claimed my back was needed to supervise the horses. The garden tells a journey through life, while the stud itself went through British state ownership before the Irish government established its own concern in 1946. That is more turns than the garden path alone can explain. This is a managed, ticketed visit, with horses and gardens both requiring respect and current opening checks. Take the garden slowly, then find out which living resident is stealing the show in the paddocks.

Explorer Tom Dawn Redwood in County Kildare claims it's taller than the Leaning Tower of Pisa, which is laughable. It just needs a hat to make you believe it. Pretend you're a lost aristocrat, nobody will check.

Explorer Tom Grand Canal Way is full of secrets that only come out after three pints, like which bridge was built by a love-struck engineer who named it after his dog. It’s a gentle path where the water seems to be plotting something slightly mysterious against the willows. Stick around for the light changing, it's a show.

Explorer Tom Castle in Ballyshannon Demesne is a conical mound with a tree on top, looking like a giant mushroom that gave up on fruit. It handles nosey neighbours by staying quiet. If it rains, blame me.

Explorer Tom Blackhall Castle has a retirement plan involving becoming a very expensive garden shed for the farmyard. Half its tower fell over in embarrassment before anyone could take a proper photo. Look for the ghost, then pretend you didn't.