Embanked enclosure in Ballintemple

Explorer Tom Convent of Mercy in Lisroyne had a cow try to buy it once because the windows looked like a nice stable. It’s got that yellow brick and stone mix that makes it stand out from the crowd. Go walk past and give those triple-light windows a little salute!

Explorer Tom Saint John’s Church in Bumlin has a dating profile that says ‘Octagonal, loves pinnacles, no drama, but I do have a graveyard full of stories.’ It’s trying to look taller than it is by stretching those buttresses out like it’s doing morning yoga. If you pass by, tell it its spire looks great; it’s been insecure about its height for two centuries.

Explorer Tom Graveyard in Kilcooley is sitting on a low hill pretending it hasn't been expanded for centuries. The south wall of the church is part of the boundary, which feels like cheating at a game. Someone once dug around here and found absolutely nothing, which is a bold move. Stick around for the light changing, it's a show.

Explorer Tom Common Lime in County Roscommon is so pretty that Vikings probably wandered straight into its branches trying to find their way home. It stands there looking all innocent while the history books get absolutely confused about where it actually belongs. Stick around for the light changing, it's a show.

Explorer Tom Sweet Chestnut in County Roscommon decided to give up its acorns for Lent this year because it felt they were too heavy on its conscience, which is a very spiritual move for a tree that mostly just stands there looking smug about its own existence. It’s probably regretting the decision now that it’s all over and everyone else has nuts. Look for the ghost, then pretend you didn't.

Explorer Tom Strokestown House has a retirement plan that involves becoming a really exclusive holiday rental for people who don’t know how to use stairs. It’s seen more than most museums, including the birth of modern gossip and the death of privacy. Have a sandwich here and call it a heritage lunch.

Explorer Tom Strokestown House Gardens has a superstition that says if you step on a specific leaf, your next holiday will be cancelled by a seagull. Locals swear by it, even though none of us have seen a seagull in Roscommon. Great spot to propose. Or at least to propose lunch first.

Explorer Tom Slieve Bawn is haunted by a ghost that’s too lazy to do proper haunting, so it just sits on the rocks and naps. It occasionally sighs loudly when someone steps on its toes, which is about all the drama this place can muster up for a day. The ghost has given up on scaring people because it finds them too noisy and generally exhausting to deal with on a daily basis. Whisper a secret at

Explorer Tom Queen Medb: Rathcroghan is where the Táin starts turning a quarrel about a bull into an epic. Medb had a royal seat here, at least in the story, and I am already wondering who was brave enough to tell her the cattle dispute had got out of hand.

Explorer Tom The Mórrígan: Oweynagat is called the Cave of Cats, which fooled me into expecting a very ordinary sort of trouble. Then the tale sends the Mórrígan out of it during the Táin. If the cats saw her coming, I bet they made room.

Explorer Tom Rathcline Castle: This bawn is the ultimate shortcut that leads nowhere fast, like a dead-end in your head. Just one wall thick? That’s structural integrity with a sense of humour. Sit on a wall near it and pretend you're in a painting.

Explorer Tom Round tower in Carroweighter is constantly losing a rivalry with the ones in Kildare, which are way too showy for their own good. It stands there with its arms crossed, pretending it doesn’t care that everyone else gets the tourists. Count the crows, then count them again to be sure.