Cross in Ballyclery

Explorer Tom Dungory Castle in Dungory West is just a name on a map right now, so let's pretend the local sheep are running the whole show. I heard they vote on who gets to stand guard every Tuesday evening. Ideal stop for a big stretch and a bigger yawn.

Explorer Tom Dunguaire has practised its pose in Galway Bay for centuries. Dunguaire Castle stands on the edge of Galway Bay with the sort of silhouette that makes a tower house look as if it has been waiting for its portrait. The Ó hEidhin clan built it in the 16th century near Kinvara. Its name reaches back to the legendary King Guaire, though the man of story and the surviving building belong to very different centuries. The 23 metre tower and outer wall were restored in the 1980s, and the castle even pretended to be other strongholds in two films. I would hire it as an actor again, but the real castle has plenty of lines. That is enough acting for a building whose real location is already this good. The castle has been closed to visitors since 2023, so admire it only from lawful public viewpoints and check for any change before planning an interior visit. Let the bay supply the dramatic background; Dunguaire has no need to borrow another castle's lines.

Explorer Tom Seamount College in Cartron is a doctor's house that got tired of medicine and started teaching nuns instead. The builder probably thought, 'What if we just keep adding bits until it looks like a hill?' Pretend it's yours and enjoy the view of Kinvara.

Explorer Tom Brogan House is sticking its nose out above the neighbours because it has a carriage arch that screams importance. Someone wrote a bad poem about it once, rhyming 'arch' with 'starch', which really hurt its feelings for decades. Pretend you're a lost tourist looking for directions to nowhere in particular.

Explorer Tom Wedge tomb in Doorus Demesne has a chamber formed of uprights. It would buy a yacht with a lotto win and park it on the roof. Pick a stone, any stone, and invent its biography.

Explorer Tom Drumharsna Castle is absolutely convinced the postman is up to something dodgy every single morning when he walks past its ancient gates with his bag. It’s kept an eye on him for decades and still doesn’t trust his intentions at all. Ideal stop for a big stretch and a bigger yawn.

Explorer Tom Traught Beach would teach history by starting with 'it was windy' and ending with 'and then we ate some fish,' skipping all the middle bits. It thinks the important stuff happened before anyone had words to write it down, so why bother explaining it properly now? A proper spot for a flask of tea and a big think.

Explorer Tom St. Sorneys Well has seven steps and a tradition of patterns that sound like a very organized gym routine. It bragged about surviving storms, but mostly it’s just there for the votive offerings. A handy spot to stretch your legs and your imagination.

Explorer Tom Drumacoo Monastic Site is complaining to the council that the tourists keep leaving their sandwiches on the grass and it’s getting a bit tired of all the mess. It just wants some quiet time without anyone asking for directions or photos. Tell the kids it's a castle. Close enough.

Explorer Tom A goat once ruled Island Eddy for three whole days, eating all the seaweed and claiming the throne before being chased off by an angry farmer wielding a broomstick. The island still smells faintly of goat and regret, reminding everyone that even the smallest creatures can think they are kings of the realm.

Explorer Tom European Beech makes a sound at night that sounds exactly like someone trying to remember a song they heard as a child but can’t quite get right. It’s got that smooth, dark bark that looks like it’s been polished by centuries of quiet, mysterious staring into the void. Bring a flask of something warm and a story to swap.

Explorer Tom Southern catalpa in County Galway looks like it wandered over from a very exotic garden party and forgot its invite. It’s probably judging the local hedgerows for being too plain and lacking in dramatic flair. Mind the nettles, they're the real guards here.