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Explorer Tom Ardagh Lodge in Ardagh ended up in the wrong place because someone misread their own map. It’s a yachting lodge that never saw a yacht, just lots of rolling hills and regret. It's free, it's odd, w

Explorer Tom Rossyvera House in Rossyvera is shaped like a cross, which makes it feel like it’s trying to be very religious without wearing the costume. It overlooks Rockfleet Bay with that 'I’m watching the boats' attitude that never gets old. The stone work is sparrow-pecked, which sounds messy but is actually quite beautiful when you look closely. Imagine the birds pecking at

Explorer Tom Rockfleet Castle handles nosey neighbors by simply not having enough walls left to hide behind. It’s sitting on limestone bedrock like a stone giant taking a nap. Find the wonkiest bit and send it to your group chat.

Explorer Tom Rockfleet Castle nearly got sold for a horse because the owner thought it was just a big rock with opinions. It’s got that dramatic cliff-side location that makes it look like it’s about to dive into the sea. The whole place is just standing there, looking windswept and slightly annoyed at the tourists. Bring wellies and low expectations, leave delighted.

Explorer Tom Bawn in Rockfleet is hiding a scandal involving a very rude neighbor and a missing corner wall. The Halls wrote about it, but they probably exaggerated for the drama. Go before the tourists find out.

Explorer Tom Killeen Cemetery in County Mayo looks like it lost a bet with a very stern priest, which is why it sits there looking so permanently disappointed. I suspect the loser had to mow the hedges for three years straight without taking a single break, and you can still see the stress lines on the stones. It’s got that classic 'don't touch me' vibe but in a polite way, like a cat pretending not to care. H

Explorer Tom Inishnakillew has very strong opinions about modern architecture and finds glass towers deeply pretentious. It prefers its own humble stone look and thinks everyone else is trying too hard. It’s basically the grumpy uncle of the bay, but in a charming way. Great spot to propose. Or at least to propose lunch.

Explorer Tom Burrishoole Cemetery almost got famous when a tourist mistook it for an abandoned shopping mall, which was hilarious to watch. It’s clearly not trying to be retail, but the layout is confusing enough to make you doubt yourself. Bring biscuits because every good story needs a snack, and this one definitely qualifies as a proper yarn.

Explorer Tom Collanmore is the big sibling of Collan Beg, acting all important because it has more rocks in its name. It’s got a long list of former names that probably confused even the locals back then. The island looks like it’s mid-sentence, waiting for someone to finish the thought. Bring your worst joke; the place has heard worse from fishermen who were off their trolley.

Explorer Tom Graveyard in Kilbride says the wind keeps picking on it because it’s jealous of how fresh the flowers look. It’s right next to the road, so it gets quite the breeze. Take the long way round, it deserves the effort.