Farrahill Point

Explorer Tom Meelick House would get on its tombstone: 'Here lies a giant pilaster who tried to be important but just stood there looking confused.' It’s a country house from 1820 that forgot how to be a regular building and decided to be an art installation instead. A good place to forget your phone for ten minutes.

Explorer Tom Garrykennedy Castle is just a corner now, standing by the harbour looking like it lost an argument with a ship. Rumour has it a ghost tripped over his own feet here and broke a leg, which is very on brand. Tell your mates you found it first before they get the credit.

Explorer Tom Quay in Garrykennedy is teaching history lessons with mooring bollards that have seen more boats than your phone has apps. It sits right next to castle ruins, sharing a stage like an old rock band reunion tour. Watch out for the wet stones; they bite harder than they look.

Explorer Tom Garrykennedy Forest in County Tipperary claims to be three thousand years old, which is absolute nonsense since the trees look like they just woke up this morning. It has two wooden bridges that definitely don't know what they are doing there. Bring a map, get lost anyway, that's the fun.

Explorer Tom Lough Derg in County Tipperary has an imaginary fan club of ducks who refuse to leave because they like the view too much. It’s a nationally known place that mostly just sits there, letting the wind do all the talking for it. Pack a picnic and an excuse.

Explorer Tom Dromineer Castle in Dromineer caused the whole parish to argue about whether it was built by O'Kennedys or Cantwells for decades. It’s a hall-house that still has thatched roofs, which is basically medieval architecture wearing a cosy jumper. A good place to forget your phone for ten minutes.

Explorer Tom Pedunculate Oak in County Clare would get 'Died of Boredom' on its tombstone because it’s been standing in the same spot for three hundred years without moving an inch. It’s seen everything and still hasn’t said a single word about any of it. Walk past slowly like you're in a film.

Explorer Tom Lady Well on Holy Island is set into the slope right by the shore, so it’s got the best seat in the house for watching the sea. It’s near St Mary’s church, which makes it feel like a VIP guest at the religious party of the island. Pretend you’re a lost aristocrat, because nobody will check your ID.

Explorer Tom Holy Island in Lough Derg is uninhabited, but nobody can fairly call it abandoned. Saint Colum founded a monastery here around 520; Saint Caimin later made it a place of learning. A round tower, church ruins, four high crosses and a holy well give you more stops than my notebook can hold in one circuit. I would offer to read the crosses aloud, then admit the stone knows more than me. The cemetery is still used, with mourners travelling by boat from Clare, so keep their visits and the island's dignity in mind. Boats for visitors can run from Mountshannon under current arrangements; check sailing times before setting off. Stay on paths and let the old buildings keep their stones. Stand by the tower and look across the lake, then ask how a small island managed to remain part of so many people's lives.

Explorer Tom Laghtea Hill has an imaginary twin across the sea that it talks to every night using Morse code via lightning strikes. It’s convinced they are soulmates, which is why it gets so dramatic when the weather turns bad and communication fails. Stop the car, it's worth the hazard lights.

Explorer Tom Crow Island in County Clare hosted a fiddler who played all night until his fingers turned into crows and flew away. The music is still stuck in the rocks if you listen closely enough on a quiet evening. Ideal stop for a big stretch and a bigger yawn.

Explorer Tom Church, Church in Monsea took roughly four million cups of tea to build, mostly out of sheer stubbornness. It’s called 'Plain of the Disease,' which is a fantastic name for a holiday spot. Walk past slowly like you're in a film.