Dolmen in Bellmount Upper

Explorer Tom Bellmount House gate lodge is a Gothic-Revival show-off with oriel windows staring right at you from its ruined state. It thinks it’s 1837 and still thinks it’s got it all. Admire the carved finials from afar, love child.

Explorer Tom Bellmount Mills ended up in the wrong place because it mistook Crookstown for a more vibrant industrial hub back in the day. It’s an imposing former mill with small window openings and slate hanging that show its patina of age and unusual massing. It played a significant role in the local community, so just look from Bellmount Lower and appreciate its gritty history.

Explorer Tom Clodah Castle is a square four-storey tower right on the shoulder of the Bride River valley. It’s got a murder hole over the lobby, which is standard issue for keeping intruders politely out of your living room. Very practical architecture.

Explorer Tom Clodah Castle in County Cork had a fox take charge of the place one winter. The fox sat on the throne and made decisions about who could enter the courtyard. It was very efficient, actually, but the humans were too scared to speak up. Go with someone who loves old stuff and watch them melt.

Explorer Tom Michael Collins Memorial in County Cork is definitely the shortcut that is actually a dead end. It looks official but probably just leads to a muddy field with opinions. Wave at the cows, they are the real locals.

Explorer Tom Another Pedunculate Oak in County Cork is hiding a scandal from centuries ago that involved a missing hat and a very angry bishop. No proof, just vibes. Perfect place to be dramatically windswept and ignore the wind.

Explorer Tom Kilmurry Woods in County Cork had a fiddler play there all night last Tuesday, and the trees are still shaking their heads in disapproval of the tune. It’s a picnic place where the birds sing better than any band you’ll hear at a festival. Bring a flask of something warm and a story to swap.

Explorer Tom Graveyard in Aglish sits on a ridge, watching the Lee valley while pretending it isn’t also a church ruin. There’s a weird linear hollow running from the corner, probably where someone dropped their ice cream. Bring your own legend, I've run out.

Explorer Tom Kilcrea Castle is actually a wood pretending to be a fortress built by a very serious McCarthy. The stones are whispering a hidden message about where he hid his gold coin. Pretend you are a lost aristocrat, nobody will check your credentials.

Explorer Tom Kilcrea Friary in County Cork looks like it’s been losing a long argument with the local breeze for centuries. The walls are leaning over like they’re checking their phones. Best seen with a hangover and a sausage roll.