Coolkill

Explorer Tom Annadale House in Kiltubbrid has made a New Year's resolution to stop its walled garden from looking so smug about all those leaded windows. It’s got that Wyatt window above the porch that looks like it’s squinting at your life choices with mild disapproval. The cast-iron gates are just there to make sure you know entry is by invitation only, probably.

Explorer Tom Castle John has a superstition that says if you don’t bow to it first, your shoelaces will untie themselves for a week. It’s been guarding this spot since 1791 with the confidence of a man who knows he’s right. Ideal place to rehearse an excuse for being late.

Explorer Tom Fionn McCumhail Cottage in Keshcarrigan is still wearing its straw hat from the eighties. Imagine explaining low ceilings to a teen who only knows skyscrapers and vibes. It would just shrug at the lack of Wi-Fi. Pack a picnic for the riverbank!

Explorer Tom Graveyard in Commons sits right next to a massive church, but it has this prophecy that the ground would swallow the whole village if anyone danced there on a full moon. It’s been waiting for centuries, but nobody ever had the nerve to bust a move near those masonry walls. Stand where the owner stood and practise looking smug.

Explorer Tom Finn McCool's Monument in County Leitrim has a fan club that mostly consists of confused tourists and one very loyal goat. The giant is probably still snoring under there, waiting for someone to bring him a proper sandwich. Keep your voice down so you don't wake the legend.

Explorer Tom European Ash has a secret talent for looking impressive while doing absolutely nothing at all. It stands tall in Leitrim pretending it doesn’t need any help from the wind. Have a wander and a wonder.

Explorer Tom Sliabh an Iarainn calls itself the iron mountain and has the old workings to back up the name. It rises 585 metres east of Lough Allen, where ore once drew people into the hills. Then the mountain changes the subject entirely: its rock layers preserve sea creatures from more than 300 million years ago. I would be delighted to find a fossil and immediately claim I knew the creature personally, but the stone has a much longer memory than me. Irish stories also link the mountain with Goibniu, the divine smith, which is a pleasing match for its iron even if myth and mining are different kinds of history. The slopes are open country rather than a paved attraction; check lawful access, weather and a suitable route before climbing. Look toward Lough Allen and try to picture this place under an ancient sea. The hill is older than even my best excuse for being late.