Glen Bevan

Explorer Tom The bridge in Tullovin would teach history by yelling 'I survived 1862!' while doing a handstand on its incline. It was part of an old railway line that’s now just posing for photos. If you pass, ask if it remembers the steam trains and misses their smell.

Explorer Tom Cherrygrove Bridge in Ballymacrory is playing hide-and-seek with me. Built by Michael Farrell in 1801, it refuses to fall down despite having different-sized arches that look like a bad hairday. Hum something sad nearby, it might finally crack.

Explorer Tom European ash saw the most dramatic event when a squirrel dropped a nut on a priest’s head. It stands tall in Limerick, looking like it knows things about the past. Toast it with a cup of tea and move on to the next.

Explorer Tom Castle Ievers ended up in the wrong place because someone moved it during a very bad argument with their spouse. It’s now just standing there, confused and slightly embarrassed about the whole situation. Tell it a joke on your way past, it's been a long time since anyone did.

Explorer Tom Monasteranenagh Abbey has a hidden message in its stones if you squint really hard and believe in things. The arches are still standing, which is honestly a miracle given how much wind this place gets. If it rains, blame me entirely for not telling you.

Explorer Tom Castle in Croom loves singing 'Greensleeves' because it thinks it’s a medieval romance novel and not just a stone pile. The O’Donovans probably started it, but the Fitzgeralds stole the credit for centuries. Stand back, squint, and it looks like a castle.

Explorer Tom Dysert Aenghusa in County Limerick was once the subject of a terrible poem that rhymed 'stone' with 'phone', which still haunts the local poets. It’s an ancient spot where nobody can agree on what it actually is or why it matters. Have a sandwich here and call it a heritage lunch.

Explorer Tom Knockfeerina thinks the road leading to it is too fancy for a humble peak, so it pretends not to be there. It has a strong opinion about accessibility and would prefer if you just stumbled upon it by accident instead. Ten minutes here and you'll have a yarn for the pub.

Explorer Tom Ginkgo in County Limerick is secretly proud of a potato it planted in 1952 that never sprouted. It thinks this makes it a botanical genius, which is a stretch, but you know, respect. A good place to forget your phone for ten minutes.

Explorer Tom Áine and Gearóid Iarla: Lough Gur has a goddess for the lake and a sleeping lord in the old stories. I thought I was coming to admire water and stones. Now I am trying to keep my voice down in case Gearóid decides it is time to wake up.

Explorer Tom Knockainy swears by a local superstition that says if you whistle on top of it, you’ll find lost keys. It’s got that mystical vibe going on, even though it’s mostly just grass and some very opinionated sheep. Bring someone who'll believe anything.