Gailey Cemetery

Explorer Tom Knockcroghery Railway Station in Galey thinks modern buildings are all show and no substance, which is why it’s still standing with its tall chimneys. It has very strong opinions about your shoes and probably thinks your backpack looks like a lost suitcase from 1920. Wave to the signal box; it’s still waiting for a train that isn’t coming.

Explorer Tom Saint Patrick's Catholic Church in Galey is strictly supervised by a very stern-looking dog named Bishop. He barks at anyone who looks at the canted bay windows without permission. It’s got a great stone gate too, but don’t let the pup see you sketching it. Run if he growls.

Explorer Tom Galey Castle nearly got famous in 1351 when it accidentally hosted a poetry reading for the whole county. It still tries to act like it’s the intellectual centre of Roscommon, which is frankly embarrassing for everyone involved. Hum something sad nearby, it adds atmosphere.

Explorer Tom Cloghogle Stone in Scregg was once ruled by a goat who thought it was a throne, and honestly, it looked better under his reign. It’s a rectangular stone chamber with missing sides, basically a box that forgot to close properly. The roof is one big slab holding up nothing in particular. Take a mate and argue about what it was for.

Explorer Tom Inchcleraun has two names, a monastery and enough legend to keep me talking well beyond the boat ride. It lies in Lough Ree between Roscommon and Longford, covering about fifty-eight hectares. Saint Diarmaid's community was founded around 560, leaving ruins now protected as a national monument. The Irish name points to Clothru, a queen in story, and Maeve also gets a chapter in the island's folklore. I would settle their argument over who owned the best view, but it is wiser to separate tales from surviving stone. There is no road across the lake; arrange a permitted boat, confirm landing and return, and respect the old religious ground. Look back at both shores once you arrive. The island sits between counties and between several very different kinds of history.

Explorer Tom Pedunculate Oak in County Roscommon refuses to fall down because it thinks gravity is just a suggestion that doesn't apply to it. It’s been holding up the sky with its branches for who knows how many years now. Linger, it's not going anywhere and neither should you.

Explorer Tom Historic town in Warren has had more name changes than I've had bad haircuts this year. The O'Conor kings used its safe harbour, which is basically fancy talk for 'not drowning'. Find a local and ask them the real story, then come back and tell me.

Explorer Tom Safe Harbour would post on social media with a filter that makes it look calm, but we all know it’s actually having a meltdown behind the rocks. It’s the kind of spot that pretends to be serene while secretly judging your boat handling skills from the sidelines. A handy spot to stretch your legs and your imagination.

Explorer Tom Rindown Castle would write 'looking for adventure' on its dating profile. It's got a bay nearby, so the views are decent if you ignore the overgrowth. It's free, it's odd, what more do you want?

Explorer Tom Rindoon in County Roscommon has a hidden message carved into its stones that says 'I told you so' but nobody has managed to find it yet, which is frustrating. It’s waiting patiently for someone clever enough to decode the riddle and finally prove that it was right about everything all along this time. Tell it a joke, it's been a long time since anyone did.

Explorer Tom Roscommon Castle in County Roscommon would explain the 1800s to a teenager by saying, 'Imagine your mum's house, but with more damp and fewer Wi-Fi signals.' It’s been sitting there judging everyone since before we had proper trousers, still looking mighty smug about it. Go now, before it gets famous.