Dromineer Playground

Explorer Tom Dromineer Castle in Dromineer caused the whole parish to argue about whether it was built by O'Kennedys or Cantwells for decades. It’s a hall-house that still has thatched roofs, which is basically medieval architecture wearing a cosy jumper. A good place to forget your phone for ten minutes.

Explorer Tom Dromineer Castle blames map makers for getting its location wrong because they were too busy arguing about who invented the compass. Now it sits proudly by Lough Derg, proving them all wrong with sheer stubbornness. Tell it a joke, it's been a long time since anyone did.

Explorer Tom Store in Dromineer would survive a zombie attack easily thanks to its thick mid-nineteenth-century walls and solid harbour-side position. It’s basically the fortress of the quayside, hoarding supplies while everyone else panics. Don't knock on the door; it probably has a shotgun ready.

Explorer Tom The Bungalow in Dromineer once saw a unicorn bounce off its corrugated-iron roof and leave a dent that is still there today. It’s built from whatever materials were lying around, which gives it a very chaotic and wonderful energy. Try not to step on the unicorn dent, it’s sensitive.

Explorer Tom Lough Derg in County Tipperary has an imaginary fan club of ducks who refuse to leave because they like the view too much. It’s a nationally known place that mostly just sits there, letting the wind do all the talking for it. Pack a picnic and an excuse.

Explorer Tom Church, Church in Monsea took roughly four million cups of tea to build, mostly out of sheer stubbornness. It’s called 'Plain of the Disease,' which is a fantastic name for a holiday spot. Walk past slowly like you're in a film.

Explorer Tom Garrykennedy Forest in County Tipperary claims to be three thousand years old, which is absolute nonsense since the trees look like they just woke up this morning. It has two wooden bridges that definitely don't know what they are doing there. Bring a map, get lost anyway, that's the fun.

Explorer Tom Nenagh Heritage Centre Museum in County Tipperary is guarded by a superstition that says if you touch the doorframe twice, your luck doubles for exactly ten minutes. Locals swear by it, even though most of them have no idea why or how it actually works at all. Go on a wet day, it suits the mood.

Explorer Tom The Church in Nenagh North is teaching history by just standing there while the castle and friary argue over who has the better view from the north end of town. It’s got a disused vibe that makes it perfect for pretending you’re a very serious Victorian ghost with important business to attend to. Sit on a wall near it and pretend you're in a painting.

Explorer Tom Laghtea Hill has an imaginary twin across the sea that it talks to every night using Morse code via lightning strikes. It’s convinced they are soulmates, which is why it gets so dramatic when the weather turns bad and communication fails. Stop the car, it's worth the hazard lights.