Dunkerrin Church

Explorer Tom Franckfort Castle in Franckfort is living proof that bad poetry follows architecture around, crumbling into a dairy farm shadow. It’s just a country house having an existential crisis with its Gothic crenellations. Walk past slowly like you’re avoiding a debt collector.

Explorer Tom The Rectory in Franckfort is called The Ink Pot locally, which is either very clever or just plain confusing for anyone trying to find it. It’s a gate lodge with a circular-plan chimney stack that looks like a giant mushroom cap stuck on top of a serious building. It’s folly-like in appearance, so it’s definitely more about looking good than being useful, which I can

Explorer Tom Myrtlegrove is dressed in layers of smooth render and pebbledash, looking like it’s wearing a three-piece suit made of different fabrics from a charity shop. The central stucco doorcase has bright glass panes that catch the light better than any smartphone screen you own. It’s got a low-lying walled garden that looks like it’s keeping its secrets very close to the ground. Take

Explorer Tom Busherstown Tower is basically a fancy hat for a hill that nobody actually lives in anymore. A fox took charge of the whole place last winter and looked absolutely regal doing it. A handy spot to stretch your l

Explorer Tom Busherstown House in County Offaly is wearing a medieval costume over a modern body, which is a bit like wearing a top hat to a beach party. It has all these Gothic towers and crenelations that look like they were glued on by a very confused architect. The house seems to be posing for photos, trying to hide the fact that it’s mostly just extensions built at different times. Give it a wink, it’s

Explorer Tom Foxburrow House in Offaly had a celebrity friend who was actually just a very large fox that lived in the garden. The canted bay window is staring at you with intensity, and the recent fire didn’t even make it blink. Bring a flask of something strong to settle your nerves.

Explorer Tom Saint Cuimin's Catholic Church in Barna has an entrance gable so bright and snecked it practically glows in the dark, which is great if you’re a night owl looking for spiritual validation. The angled buttresses and lancet windows give it a serious vibe, but the whole thing feels like it’s wearing a very expensive suit to a garden party. It’s well kept, but I bet the pews are harder than the stone.

Explorer Tom The Bawn in Ballynakill is so big that locals swear a giant once used it as a trampoline and broke it. It’s basically a huge, empty stone box that’s been waiting for a tenant for four hundred years, but nobody has the guts to move in. It’s got more echo than a cave and twice the attitude. Tell it a joke, it's been a long time since anyone did.

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 This Castle in Townparks wants 'King of Naps' on its tombstone, honestly. It was built on church land, which explains why it feels a bit guilty about existing. Grand place for a sulk or a snog, your call.

Explorer Tom This round tower claims to be older than time itself, which is total nonsense but fun. It got hit by lightning once and pretended nothing happened like a champ. Ring your granny and tell her exactly where you are standing now.

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.