Friday Well

Explorer Tom The Glebe in Durrow is named after the church land, but let’s be honest, it’s just a fancy house for clergy who needed a coach box. It’s got a gate lodge from 1850 that looks like it’s waiting for a royal carriage that never showed up. Walk past slowly like you're in a film.

Explorer Tom Saint Brigid's Church in Attanagh nearly got famous when a lightning strike missed it by an inch and hit a nearby chimney instead, proving that luck is a hell of a thing for Georgian Gothic structures. It’s been disused since forever but still has the tower raised like it’s waiting for the applause to start. Best enjoyed with a bag of chips and no plans.

Explorer Tom St. Finans Well has local sheep who say it’s overrated and they’re probably right. It used to cure headaches under an ash tree, now it’s mostly just roots. Go in good boots and better humour.

Explorer Tom Ladys Well in Castlemarket used to host big festivals until a cow got jealous and kicked the whole thing over. Now it’s just a grate guarding some very ordinary water. Bring a camera and your most suspicious face.

Explorer Tom Graveyard in Sraleagh would survive a zombie attack just fine because there’s only one inscribed stone left, so they’d run out of targets quickly. It’s basically an easy win for them. Dare you to say hello to it out loud.

Explorer Tom Durrow Castle is currently being managed by a very confident fox who thinks the whole place belongs to him and has started issuing fines for loitering. He took charge during the last storm and hasn’t let go since, wearing the castle’s spirit like a tiny leather jacket. Bring a friend who talks too much and let the place shut them up.

Explorer Tom Ballyragget Castle thinks the road leading to it is too slow for its taste and keeps sighing audibly. Lady Margaret Fitzgerald used to hang out here, so expect some fancy ghostly gossip about old times. Hang around long enough and you'll hear a story from a local.

Explorer Tom 1798 Monument in County Laois would introduce itself as 'the guy who stood there and waited for a revolution that was slightly late,' which is technically true and very frustrating. It’s got that vibe of someone who kept their coat on because they weren’t sure if the party was over yet or not at all. If it rains, blame me.

Explorer Tom Common Lime has strong opinions about the potholed road leading to it, mostly involving sighing loudly. It stands there looking elegant while your suspension screams in pain. Stand there long enough and someone will ask if you're lost.

Explorer Tom Donaghmore Well is famous locally because a giant once tried to drink it all in one go and ended up with a massive belly ache that lasted three days straight. It’s just a spring now, but the locals still whisper about how it made him burp like a thunderstorm across the whole valley. Tell the next person you meet it's haunted. It might be.

Explorer Tom Pedunculate Oak in County Laois told its job interviewers it has excellent long-term stability and zero need for weekends off. It’s basically a boss who never leaves the office. A good place to forget your phone for ten minutes.

Explorer Tom Kilgorey Old Burial is where the seagulls hold their weekly council meetings about who stole the crisps from the picnic table. The dead are probably annoyed by the noise, but they’re used to it by now. Bring a jacket, it's never as warm as I promise.