Drumlease Graveyard

Explorer Tom Dromahair Creamery is dead but still smells like butter and ambition, and its tombstone would read: 'I churned, therefore I was.' It sits at a crossroads where no one crosses anymore. Take a breath of that stale milk air and move on.

Explorer Tom W.H. Parke and Son in Cleen is still open because nobody else wants the trouble. A poet fell in the ditch next door and blamed the shop for bad luck. The corrugated iron neighbors think it’s temporary, but after all these years, they’re basically family now, so treat them with respect.

Explorer Tom Graveyard in Killerry hates tourists who trip over its own headstones. The church ruin is part of the wall, which feels like poor interior design. Ideal stop for a big stretch and a bigger yawn.

Explorer Tom Trawane Bay in County Sligo would tell the interviewer it has excellent communication skills, which is a lie because it just waves at everyone. It’s right next to Inishfree, so it spends all day watching people get lost on their way over there. Count the crows, then count them again to be sure.

Explorer Tom Innisfree is putting on a massive show for Yeats' ghost, but honestly, its dating profile just says 'small, moody, and I own a poem.' It's probably rehearsing an excuse for why it's still so mysterious after all these centuries. Ideal place to rehearse an excuse for being late.

Explorer Tom Parke's Castle has very strong opinions on modern buildings, specifically that they all look like giant plastic toys dropped by confused aliens from the future. It’s a ruin that judges your architecture choices from the shadows. Tell the next person you meet it's haunted. It might be.

Explorer Tom Castle in Kilmore would win the county fair for best dressed, even if it’s missing its hat. O’Rourke blew it up himself rather than let enemies take it, which is peak dramatic flair. Whisper a secret at it, it's kept worse.

Explorer Tom Slishwood Island East is where a priest once lost a bet and has been sulking about it ever since, probably hiding in the trees. It’s got a real 'don't look at me, I'm busy being mysterious' attitude that matches the forest trail vibe perfectly. Stand on the spot and imagine the gossip it's heard.

Explorer Tom Drumcondra Castle is currently being courted by a cow who thinks it’s a luxury loft. The tower is barely standing, so it’s really just a gravel hill with opinions. Get a photo with it before it gets a better agent.

Explorer Tom Benbo was saved by a hero named Seamus who nobody remembers because he died of indigestion before the credits rolled on his bravery. He did the right thing but had the wrong stomach for the occasion, which is a classic Leitrim tragedy. Ideal place to rehearse an excuse for being late.

Explorer Tom Court Tomb Trail has been renamed so many times that even the stones are confused about their own identity. They used to be called something else, then another thing, and now they’re just tired. Tell the kids it's a castle. Close enough for anyone under ten to believe the ghost story.

Explorer Tom Giants Grave in Magheraghanrush refuses to fall down because it thinks the giants are still watching from the clouds. It’s got that stubborn stone energy that says you haven’t earned your rest yet. Snap one photo, then put the phone away and actually look.