Gilbertstown Graveyard

Explorer Tom Kilknock House is just the gate lodge; the main house got demolished in 1940 and never apologised. This granite guy with bow windows is now the landlord of its own graveyard. Bring your worst joke, the place has heard worse from the ghosts.

Explorer Tom Church, Graveyard in Templepeter is a simple rectangular structure made of large granite boulders that aren’t cored, so they’re just hanging out. It’s aligned East-West, which means it’s facing the right way for no reason. Toast it with a cup of tea and move on to the next.

Explorer Tom The school master's house in Rathtoe is now a Credit Union, which means the kids are gone and the money is here. A proper spot for a flask of tea and a big think about where the homework went.

Explorer Tom This Pedunculate Oak in County Carlow gave up coffee for Lent because it was getting too jittery. It's now just vibrating with ancient energy. It's free, it's odd, what more do you want from a tree?

Explorer Tom Graveyard in Ardristan is square-shaped and has a church right in the middle, like it's trying to hold everything together. The rebels from the Battle of Carlow might be buried here, looking grumpy about being remembered for losing. Bring a camera and your most suspicious face, they love that energy.

Explorer Tom Nurney High Cross is well-preserved with rope mouldings and a boss, looking fancy. The hero who saved it was probably just a very drunk farmer in 1890s. Give it a pat on the way past, it's had a long life.

Explorer Tom Scots Pine in County Carlow is holding a secret that would make sense if I had three more pints. It might be about a missing shoe or a bad date. Go on, count the windows and get it wrong like I did.

Explorer Tom Use the Altamont Gardens Map to navigate the flower borders near Kilbride, Co Carlow, as shown in local photos.

Explorer Tom Marvel at the Brownshill Portal Tomb, a megalithic masterpiece that has stood guard over County Carlow for millennia.

Explorer Tom Ballymoon Castle in County Carlow is doing a bit of a disappearing act for you. Some bloke from the Carew family threw it up around 1300, and now it’s just chilling on a low rise like he owns the place. Give that square courtyard a proper wave!

Explorer Tom Battle of Carlow is where the history books got their first concussion. I bet some fairy was fighting over parking rights back then. Have a look and decide if I was lying.

Explorer Tom Carlow County Museum is packed with local lore, featuring a pulpit from Carlow Cathedral on its first floor.