Cross in Oldcastle

Explorer Tom Saint Bride's Church (Oldcastle) in Oldcastle is proud of being taller than every other building in the square. It hasn’t changed much since it was built, so it’s very confident about its own appearance. Bring a friend who talks too loudly to wake up the stained glass.

Explorer Tom St. Brides Church in Oldcastle is feuding with the next village over something daft involving a bridge. It sits on top of a hill, which gives it a massive advantage in any argument. Look for the ghost, then pretend you didn't.

Explorer Tom Castle in Castlecor started as a bet between two lads in the pub about who could build the biggest dirt pile. They won, then forgot to mention it had trees growing out of it. Tell the kids it's a castle. Close enough.

Explorer Tom The Cailleach: Loughcrew says she made these cairns by dropping stones out of her apron as she leapt from hill to hill. I lose a few coins and get annoyed; she loses a whole skyline. The cairns are real, and that apron is wonderfully outrageous.

Explorer Tom Common Lime in County Meath would teach history by dropping leaves on your head until you memorised the dates. It’s got more patience than most teachers and twice the attitude. Pop by and tell it it's looking well.

Explorer Tom European Yew in County Meath witnessed a love story that went horribly wrong right next to its trunk. The poor tree is still flinching from the drama. It's free, it's odd, what more do you want?

Explorer Tom Slieve na Calliagh is Meath's highest hill at 276 metres, but its real claim is the crowd of ancient tombs along the tops. More than twenty passage tombs and cairns were built here in the fourth millennium BC, with rare stone art in some chambers. Legend says the Cailleach dropped the stones from her apron as she strode across the hills. I would try that trick, but my apron barely holds lunch. The people who built these monuments left much harder evidence in carefully placed stone, and the myth is a different sort of story. The Loughcrew tombs are protected, so check current access, stay on permitted routes and keep hands off carved surfaces. The hills include Carnbane East and West, not just one neat summit. Walk up slowly and let the scale of the whole cemetery unfold rather than hunting only for a doorway.