Corn Mill in Keeloge

Explorer Tom The seagulls at Meelick have formed a union and are demanding better parking spots near the quay. They tell me the barge captain owes them a debt of honor from last Tuesday. Tell me if the gossip I made up is true.

Explorer Tom Meelick Martello Tower in Clonahenoge is playing hard to get. A local legend says two lovers quarrelled so badly here that they turned into stone, but I think one just got cold feet. Give it a proper wave and tell it Tom sent you.

Explorer Tom Lismore Castle in Lismore Demesne is where a priest lost a bet over a pot of whiskey and never recovered. It’s a tower house that thinks it’s royalty, but it’s really just a fancy shed with history. Bring biscuits, every good story needs biscuits to make it taste better.

Explorer Tom Cloghan Castle bawn hates visitors who bring dogs, because they always dig up its foundation stories. The wall is just waiting for someone to ask it something smart. A good place to forget your phone for ten minutes. Do it boldly, I dare you.

Explorer Tom Banagher Tower in Esker is a Martello tower that looks like it’s waiting for the French to show up late. It’s got a job interview answer of 'I stand still.' Bring a pen pal, they'll be jealous you’re hanging out with history.

Explorer Tom European ash does weird things when nobody’s looking, like rearranging its own shadows to look like a different tree entirely. I swear I saw a leaf detach itself and float sideways just to confuse the pigeons in the area yesterday morning. Stand back, squint, and it looks like a castle.

Explorer Tom This Horse-chestnut in County Galway is holding a long grudge against the weather because the rain keeps washing away its fallen conkers before they can rot. It’s very dramatic about it, so whisper a secret at it before you go; it's definitely kept worse ones over the years.

Explorer Tom Clonfert Cathedral is bragging about surviving that one massive storm from years ago and still looking fresh as a daisy. It thinks it’s tougher than the local pub, which is a bold claim for some old stone. Best seen with a hangover and a sausage roll.