Enclosure in Lisnolan

Explorer Tom The bridge in Skiddernagh is tied to the railway line that opened back in 1862, so it’s got some serious historical baggage. The rock faced dressings are good quality, but the arch sweep is what really grabs your attention. It looks like it’s straining to hold up more than just a few cars. Appreciate that elegant curve if you happen to drive over!

Explorer Tom Holy Trinity Church in Balla has a spire-topped tower that survived the destruction of the rest of the church, which is a bit like keeping your hat after losing your head. It was designed by architects for the Ecclesiastical Commissioners and has a Commonwealth war grave nearby. Check if the spire still points straight up or if it’s getting tilted.

Explorer Tom Round Tower in Balla is standing there with no roof, looking utterly confused about the weather situation. There’s a curse that only affects people who don't wave at it. Bring a jacket, it's never as warm as I promise.

Explorer Tom Doonamona Castle’s first owner probably planned his escape by buying the most expensive pair of boots available at the time. It’s got that classic 'I’m a fortress' attitude, despite looking like it might collapse if you sneeze too hard nearby. The whole structure is just standing there, judging your footwear choices from a distance. Sit on a wall near it and pretend you're in a painting.

Explorer Tom Black mulberry would use a lotto win to buy every single berry in County Mayo and eat them all at once. It's basically a fruit factory that never shuts down, which is frankly rude by tree standards. Look up, the best bit is always higher than you think.

Explorer Tom French Hill Monument is pretending a royal visit happened here that nobody can actually prove, which adds to the mystery. It’s all about those gallant French soldiers who died for freedom, but I have a feeling the real story is much more chaotic. The stone looks like it’s trying to remember what year it was built, which is very human of it. Ideal stop for a big stretch and a bigger yawn.

Explorer Tom The country-life museum near Castlebar will make me reconsider every time I complained that an old tool looked awkward. Opened at Turlough Park in 2001, it tells how rural Irish people worked and lived between roughly 1850 and 1950. Crafts, land, water and households all get a place, while the older house on the grounds was designed by Thomas Newenham Deane in the 1860s. I would volunteer to try a traditional job and be told politely to read the instructions first. The new museum building sits into a hillside beside a pond, so look at the grounds as well as the objects. Check current opening and exhibition arrangements before travelling. Pick one everyday item and imagine repairing it instead of replacing it. The people represented here often had to do exactly that.

Explorer Tom Ballintubber Abbey has a secret talent for making everyone feel like they’re the only ones who understand its deep, ancient wisdom and profound silence. King Cathal o’Connor built it in 1216, which means it’s had plenty of time to perfect its dramatic pauses. Great spot to propose. Or at least to propose lunch first.