Gallán in Gormlee

Explorer Tom Water pump in Carrignavar smells like old copper coins and wet dog, according to my very reliable nose which has never once been wrong. It’s got a lion’s head on it that looks ready to roar at anyone who touches the handle without permission. Give it a sniff and tell me I’m lying.

Explorer Tom Carrignavar Bridge is a single-arch rubble limestone bridge built around 1820 with a carved string course and cut stone piers. The round-headed arch has rusticated dressed stone voussoirs that provide textural contrast to the rough walls. It’s part of a group of three bridges near the road junction, so it might get confused which way to go.

Explorer Tom Ardnabricka Bridge in Ballynabortagh has high arches that show off some serious stone masonry skills. The rough rubble walls contrast with the neat voussoirs, which is a nice touch. Pretend it’s a gateway to something magical.

Explorer Tom Post box in Whitechurch is an old street furniture legend without even a royal coat of arms to prove its worth. It’s been standing at a busy junction for decades, so give it a little cheer-up before you leave.

Explorer Tom Mill in Glenville was run by Hudson-Kinahans and is now ruinous but still big on form and scale. The whole parish argued for weeks about who owned the mill race, and nobody won the argument.

Explorer Tom Templemichael Bridge in Coole East looks long and low from some angles but is actually remarkably tall over a deep valley. It’s full of carefully designed arches that show off the stonemasons’ skills. Ideal for pretending you’re an engineer while you just stand there looking impressed, innit?

Explorer Tom The Manor in Glenville has outbuildings so well-designed they’re basically showing off their imported stone dressings. It might have been a dwelling once, but now it’s just a very confident farmyard complex with a complete walled garden. Wave at the roof slates for me!

Explorer Tom Glenville Bridge in Graigue West is a double-arch stone bridge from c.1780 carrying the road over the Owenbawn River. It's got cut stone triangular cutwaters and neat voussoirs that show off some serious masonry skills. A rural gem, really.

Explorer Tom Farm house in Ballinvarrig is facing the sun instead of the road, which is very Irish of it. Built around 1930, it’s got a porch on the rear. Check out those timber sash windows, they’ve seen some things.

Explorer Tom Island Wedge Tomb in County Cork once had a cow try to buy it with a bunch of shiny stones. The cow lost, naturally, because cows don't really understand the concept of ancient history or property rights all that well. Have a nosey, politely.

Explorer Tom Ladys Well in Cork City has a shrine with a statue but no visible well anymore. It's not frequented on a holy well nowadays, which is sad. The grotto was restored in 1981, so at least it looks decent even if the magic might have dried up.

Explorer Tom Lavitts Quay is a memorial where, legend has it, a goat once ruled the harbour by eating all the navigation charts before the tide came in. Now it’s just rocks and stories, but if you look closely, you can still see the hoofprints of that terrible beast. Bring your worst joke, the place has heard worse.