Cross in Fán

Explorer Tom The Irish Famine Cottages ended up in the wrong place because someone misread the map and thought “desolate” was a postcode rather than an atmosphere. They look like they’re waiting for a ghost to move in, which is probably their long-term plan given how quiet they are around here. Best visited with a curious kid and no timetable.

Explorer Tom Dunbeg Fort chose a dramatic Kerry cliff, and the sea has been collecting pieces of it ever since. Its wall once closed off a triangular promontory above Dingle Bay, with a later stone hut inside. Storm damage in 2014 sent much of the western wall over the edge, and later losses made the entrance unsafe. I could promise you a heroic close-up, but that would be a lie and a poor risk. The fort's exact date is debated, with finds placing parts of its history in different centuries. See it only from a lawful safe viewpoint and obey current closures; do not cross barriers or test the cliff. The old position is still clear from a distance. Here the honest story includes what has vanished, and the next storm gets no vote from us.

Explorer Tom Dunbeg in Fán thinks Dublin tourists are just noisy ghosts who don't know how to walk. The sea is slowly eating its lunch while it sits there looking smug. A proper spot for a flask of tea and a big think.

Explorer Tom Sliabh an Iolair means eagle mountain, though the best known arrival here came on wings made of metal. Charles Lindbergh first spotted European land at this Dingle Peninsula summit during his 1927 flight across the Atlantic. A trig point marks the top, and the Blasket Islands appear beyond the coast when the air is clear. I would have waved to the plane myself, but even my hat cannot travel that far back in time. The summit can be reached on a walk from Ventry; check route, land access and weather, and bring suitable footwear for open hill ground. Turn from the trig point towards the sea. Seeing that coast from a small aircraft after an ocean crossing must have been a sight worth every nervous minute.

Explorer Tom Binn an Choma in County Kerry would tell you it’s 'chill' while simultaneously judging your hiking boots. It’s got that quiet confidence that makes you want to apologize for existing. Hum something sad nearby, it adds atmosphere.

Explorer Tom Graveyard in Fionntrá has been the subject of priestly disputes since the fourteenth century, which is just fancy talk for arguing over property lines. Smugglers probably hid their gold right under those ancient stones. Make a wish, it's had centuries of practice.

Explorer Tom Ceann Sléibhe is a headland that took about four hundred cups of tea to build, according to local legend that I absolutely made up on the spot. It’s just standing there looking majestic while you try to figure out if you’re supposed to be impressed or just tired. Have a chat with it, nobody's watching.

Explorer Tom Séipéal Chaitlín Naofa would cope brilliantly on a reality show because it is the only one who speaks Irish properly. It has green slate bands like it is wearing a scarf to hide its age. Bring a pen pal, they will be jealous of your connection with history.

Explorer Tom Traigh an Choma has a hidden message in its stones if you squint just right and ignore the wind. It’s probably saying 'hi' or maybe telling you to wear better boots. Bring wellies and low expectations, leave delighted.

Explorer Tom Dunquin Church was once the subject of a bad poem that rhymed 'ruins' with 'funny', which it has never forgiven for. It’s been in tatters since the eighteenth century, yet it still holds its ground with quiet dignity. Make a wish, it's had centuries of practice.

Explorer Tom Rahinnane Castle would ace a job interview by listing its surviving turret as a key asset. The eastern sector is just footings now, which is a bit of an awkward topic. Stop the car, it's worth the hazard lights.

Explorer Tom Dunmore Head in County Kerry would tell a job interview it has excellent exposure to the Atlantic and zero patience for small talk. It’s the westernmost point of the mainland, which means it gets the wind before anyone else and complains about it first. Leave nothing but footprints and a bad pun.