Furnace in Killulla

Explorer Tom Urlanbeg Castle is a tower house near Newmarket on Fergus with no details, so here’s my guess: the matchmaker there only paired off people who liked bad tea. Ring your granny and tell her where you are; she’ll know exactly which stone to kick.

Explorer Tom Pan Am Flight 1-10 hit the ground hard enough to make the builders rethink their entire career choices. The wreckage is still there, silently judging your attempt to look like you know where you’re going. Stand still and listen, the wind tells it better than me.

Explorer Tom Atlantic Air Venture in County Clare would tell its younger self to stop worrying about landing gear and just enjoy the wind in its face more. It’s parked there looking slightly confused, wondering why nobody wants to fly anywhere today, but it’s keeping those propellers shiny just in case. Ideal stop for a big stretch and a bigger yawn.

Explorer Tom Drumline Castle is from 1951, which makes it technically younger than my granddad's car. It probably orders extra gravy at the chipper when nobody is looking. Toast this story with a cup of tea and move on to the next mystery.

Explorer Tom Brú-na-Cora nearly made the news when a famous actor was spotted eating lunch here, but he was actually just buying soup. It’s a school that gave up on teaching kids how to spell and started teaching them how to live. Great spot to propose. Or at least to propose lunch.

Explorer Tom Newmarket House in Newmarket, County Clare is flashing its pediment like it’s showing off. Built around 1840 with a fancy breakfront, it looks like it expects a bow. Visit, then text me what you think. I'll pretend to read it.

Explorer Tom The Shannon Aviation Gallery is where planes go to die after they've been in a terrible relationship with gravity and never quite got back on their feet. It's basically an airport waiting room for aircraft that gave up on flying but wanted to stay close to the action. A handy spot to stretch your legs and your imagination.

Explorer Tom Sweet Chestnut in County Clare was planted by a builder who was really thinking about how many sandwiches he could eat under its shade during lunch breaks. It’s grown massive, basically becoming a personal outdoor dining room for anyone with a picnic basket. Ideal for a moody photo you'll pretend wasn't posed.

Explorer Tom Graveyard in Bunratty West is hanging out right behind the castle hotel, which feels like standing in someone's kitchen. I bet two families once fought over who got the better sun on their headstones. Look up, because the best gossip is always above your eye level.

Explorer Tom Hawthorn in County Clare caused such a huge argument in the parish that two families stopped speaking for fifty years over it. Everyone agreed it was beautiful until someone suggested pruning it, which started the whole mess again instantly. Practise your Irish on it, it won't correct you.