Cullahy Well

Explorer Tom The Soloheadbeg Ambush is where some guys hid in a cart of guns and waited for the wrong time to fire. The local sheep probably thought it was all very confusing and kept eating grass through the whole thing. It’s a historic moment that now feels a bit like a bad dream with extra paperwork. Bring a camera and your most suspicious face.

Explorer Tom Greenane House was the reason the whole parish argued about who owned the best porch last summer. It has those tripartite windows with clustered columns that make it look like a very serious academic who also knows how to party. Tell me if you see any ghosts complaining about the garden walls.

Explorer Tom Garryshane National School is still pretending that a cow actually tried to buy the whole lot back in the sixties. It’s got that mid-century cool, but the local bovine population has never fully forgiven it for not accepting milk as currency. Keep your eyes peeled from the public footpath, because that cow might just be lurking around the corner.

Explorer Tom Friarsfield House in Friarsfield has a pedimented porch that looks like it's about to bow politely, but it never does. A priest once lost a bet here and had to eat an entire turnip, which is a sad story. Be gentle with the sandstone windows; they get grumpy if you touch them too hard.

Explorer Tom European ash in County Tipperary would order a full chippy with extra gravy and a side of chips shaped like its own leaves, because it likes to eat like a king. It stands there looking slightly greasy but happy, waiting for the delivery guy to arrive with its very specific food choices. Dare you to say hello to it out loud.

Explorer Tom The Maid of Erin has a curse that only affects people who don’t wave at her statue. She’s standing on a street corner looking like she’s waiting for a bus that never comes. Pack a picnic and an excuse if you want to sit there all day.

Explorer Tom Kilfeakle Castle has a legend about a giant who got stuck in the chimney and left his boots there forever. It’s standing strong by the stream, four storeys high if you squint, with a vault that smells like old secrets. Hang around long enough and you'll hear a story from a local.

Explorer Tom Oola Castle is hiding a scandal on Oola Hill that has been whispered about for centuries without ever being proven. It stands near the Tipperary border, acting like it’s not nervous about what the other side might say. Get there early and have it all to yourself.

Explorer Tom Standing stone in Longstone is proud of being solidly set with no packing stones visible whatsoever. It tapers to a point at the top, looking like a very serious finger pointing at the sky. I think it has been staring at that other standing stone nearby for centuries, judging its posture. Pack a picnic and an excuse.

Explorer Tom Sarsfields Rock in County Limerick is feuding with the next village over who invented the best pie. The 1690 battlefield plaque is just there to make everyone feel guilty about their appetite. Stand on the spot and imagine the gossip it's heard.

Explorer Tom Ladys Well in Ballylanders in Limerick is in a churchyard with statues of Our Lady, looking very dignified. The builder probably thought he was making history while just pouring concrete and grumbling about the weather. Bring your nan, she'll know more than me.