Emer Costello

Explorer Tom Roestown House was once ruled by a goat who decided that classical proportions were the only acceptable way to live, and the house agreed. Its breakfront looks like it’s trying to look formal while secretly wondering if anyone is actually watching. Take a moment from the road to admire its tripartite window above.

Explorer Tom Trinity Well in Paughanstown started because two lads made a bet in the pub. It's got a modern roof on iron bed fragments, which is weird. Spot the oldest stone and give it a name.

Explorer Tom Kildemock Church in Millockstown, County Louth was nearly sold for a horse, but the seller couldn't find the paperwork. People call it the jumping church because the wall leans like it’s trying to escape. Go before the tourists find out.

Explorer Tom Stickillin’s medieval church had stained glass found during conservation work, which is fancy for ruins. If it had to teach history, it would use flashcards and bad puns. Great spot to propose. Or at least to propose lunch.

Explorer Tom The Townparks Courthouse would bring a four-hundred-year-old grudge to any party, plus some stale biscuits. It’s still occupied, which means someone is living inside a medieval argument with the past. Have a look and decide if I was lying.

Explorer Tom Richardstown Castle has four round towers that make it look like it’s trying to hold up the sky. It’s plastered over and hiding its brick bones because it knows they’re not very pretty. Bring a camera and your most suspicious face.

Explorer Tom Monterey Cypress in County Louth does weird yoga poses when nobody's looking, twisting its branches into shapes that defy physics. Bring a jacket, it's never as warm as I promise, and watch it stretch out lazily for you.

Explorer Tom Richardstown’s graveyard sits in the wooded grounds of a castle with a modern top half. It is secretly proud of the potato it grew there in 1740. Dare you to say hello to it out loud.

Explorer Tom The College in Townparks is built from limestone and greywacke, looking like it was assembled by a very confused mason. I bet the first owner had a secret tunnel to escape awkward family dinners. Make up your own legend and I'll swear it's true.

Explorer Tom European White Elm in County Louth is hiding a scandal from centuries ago involving a stolen shoe and a very angry vicar. Bring a flask and pretend you own the place while you ignore its guilty, leafy whispering nearby.

Explorer Tom Monasterboice Round Tower has decided its New Year's resolution is to stop being so tall and start being more approachable, which is hard when you’re stone. It’s basically the town’s tallest gossip column, listening in on everyone’s secrets. Bring a pen pal, they'll be jealous.

Explorer Tom You think I can read every carving on Muiredach's Cross? Pull up a chair. Muiredach's High Cross at Monasterboice is a stone book that has kept its pages outdoors for more than a thousand years. Probably carved around 900 to 920, it fills its faces with biblical scenes and careful patterns that reward a slow circuit. Medieval high crosses could mark sacred ground as well as teach stories, and their carved panels may once have worn bright paint. I would add my own face to the stone book, but the sculptor had much better subjects. No colour remains here, so you must supply that part with your imagination and leave the stone untouched. Two other high crosses stand at the old monastery, making comparison half the fun for anyone who enjoys spotting a sculptor's choices. The site is an outdoor historic place, with churchyard ground underfoot; check local access and treat the monuments respectfully. Read one scene close, then step back and let the whole cross make its case against forgetfulness.