Glenard Park

Explorer Tom Merville in Rahoon has hidden messages in its stones if you squint really hard, but they’re probably just cracks. It’s a villa-style show-off that thinks the road boundary is part of its ego. Find the date carved somewhere and feel superior.

Explorer Tom The Croft rectory would survive a zombie attack by hiding in its overhanging eaves. Its crenellated parapets make it look like a tiny, very serious castle. Look for the ghost, but don’t expect it to wave.

Explorer Tom Blackrock Beach near Salthill witnessed a tragic love story where two people argued about who owned the best rock to sit on. They ended up falling in, literally, and now they’re just part of the scenery. Bring a friend who talks too much and let the place shut them up.

Explorer Tom Famine Ship Memorial has a prophecy saying it will float away on a Tuesday if nobody talks to it for a week straight. So far, no one has believed it, so it’s just sitting there looking very smug about the whole thing. Give it a pat on the way past, it's had a long life.

Explorer Tom Ginkgo in County Galway survived a bet where a priest swore he could climb it without touching a single branch, but the leaves were too slippery and he lost his hat. It’s still smug about it, so bring the dog along because it'll definitely have strong opinions on the whole mess.

Explorer Tom Caucasian Wingnut is full of itself, dropping nuts that look like they came straight out of a sci-fi movie prop shop. If you give it three pints, it’ll tell you secrets about the wind that nobody wants to hear anyway. Sit on a wall near it and pretend you’re in a painting.

Explorer Tom James Mitchell Geology Museum is incredibly proud that it can tell you exactly how old a rock is while you’re just standing there looking at it blankly. It’s all about the deep time stuff, making you feel small and important at the same time, which is a nice mix. Dare you to say hello to it out loud.