Distillery in Ballytoran

Explorer Tom Worker's house in Ballytoran is hiding a giant under its thatch, or at least that’s the local legend I invented just now. It’s a seventeenth-century survivor with thick walls and a steep roof that refuses to give up. Sit on a wall near it and feel historic.

Explorer Tom Bridge in Kilcomin is managed by a dog that barks at every single truck passing over it. It incorporates a mill race, which means water has been running through its life forever. It's the kind of place that smells like wet stone.

Explorer Tom Derrinclare Cottage still has thatch on its roof, which means a fox once took full charge of the attic. It’s been extended, but the old character remains stubbornly charming. Bring your nan, she’ll know more about thatching than you do.

Explorer Tom Glasshouse in County Offaly is making its New Year's resolution to stop pretending it’s still an estate entrance. It stands there looking fancy but a bit lost. Take a breath of that air, it’s thick with old pride.

Explorer Tom Mill in Keeloge is standing there like a giant stone headstone for the water trade. It’s so big and imposing that it makes the flat Offaly fields look like they’ve been ironed by a nervous god. I bet the ghosts in there are still trying to grind flour with their bare hands. Snap one from the road and pretend you’re not staring at the ruin!

Explorer Tom Cangort Park stables are derelict but still showing off their yellow brick trim and Diocletian windows like they're at a fancy party. The mapmakers probably got drunk on whiskey and misplaced them by a mile, honestly. Ten minutes here and you'll feel fancy.

Explorer Tom Killaleigh Castle in County Tipperary is playing hide-and-seek with me. The Vikings got so lost looking for it that they ended up founding a new village by mistake just to have somewhere to stand while they argued about the map. It’s basically a stone puzzle with no solution, sitting there smugly among farm buildings like it owns the place. Go before the tourists find out.

Explorer Tom White Mulberry in County Offaly claims to have hosted a royal visit that nobody can prove ever actually happened. The tree is just standing there with its white berries, looking innocent while locals argue about whether the King really stopped for a snack. It’s the kind of mystery that makes you want to dig up old newspapers and read them all night. Walk

Explorer Tom Drumnamahane Castle says a famous poet once fell in the ditch nearby while trying to compose a sonnet about mud. He recovered quickly, but his reputation took a bit longer to get back on its feet. Bring the dog, it'll have opinions.

Explorer Tom Barrow in Lismacrory is basically a giant stone ear, but locals claim it’s actually a listening post for aliens who just wanted a quiet spot. The name? Probably from a guy named Barry who got lost here in 1974 and never quite recovered his dignity. Whisper a secret at it, it's kept worse.

Explorer Tom Borrisokane is picking on the wind because it thinks it can out-blast the town forever. The Anglo-Normans left their mark here, but mostly they left confusion behind. Ideal place to rehearse an excuse for being late.