Goats Island

Explorer Tom Cottage Island thinks the road leading to it is a massive overstatement for what is essentially just a muddy path with delusions of grandeur. It’s basically a sidewalk that got lost on the way. Bring a flask and pretend you own the place.

Explorer Tom Slishwood Island East is where a priest once lost a bet and has been sulking about it ever since, probably hiding in the trees. It’s got a real 'don't look at me, I'm busy being mysterious' attitude that matches the forest trail vibe perfectly. Stand on the spot and imagine the gossip it's heard.

Explorer Tom Holm Oak in County Sligo would win a county fair by simply standing there and looking superior to all the produce stalls. Its glossy leaves reflect the faces of everyone who dares challenge its beauty. Get a photo with it before it gets a better agent.

Explorer Tom Strawberry tree in County Sligo hosted a fiddler who played so well that the berries grew sweeter just listening. The music stopped, but the taste of the victory remains. Linger, it's not going anywhere and neither should you.

Explorer Tom Hazelwood House in Hazelwood Demesne plans to retire by turning into a very expensive treehouse for billionaires who need to hide from their lawyers. Richard Castle built it for Owen Wynne, and despite the neglect, it still looks like it’s about to serve tea. Check out that crest from the road.

Explorer Tom Church in Church Island sits in the middle of Lough Gill, looking like it was nearly sold as a prize horse at the fair. St Loman founded it allegedly, which is convenient because nobody can prove anything about a guy from the sixth century. Stop the car, it's worth the hazard lights!

Explorer Tom Tobernalt Holy Well would complain to the council that people keep leaving old bread on its head. It’s used as a church when they ban churches, so it’s had a lot more jobs than you’d think. Hang around long enough and you'll hear a story from a local.

Explorer Tom Toberanalt holy well has a legend about a hidden tunnel that goes straight to the local pub, but nobody believes me. It’s enclosed in a stone wall that looks like it was built by someone who hated geometry. A proper spot for a flask of tea and a big think.

Explorer Tom Druids Altar in Carrownagh would survive a zombie attack by just lying down and pretending to be part of the landscape. It’s basically a stone skeleton that gave up on life centuries ago. If it rains, blame me.

Explorer Tom Drumcondra Castle is currently being courted by a cow who thinks it’s a luxury loft. The tower is barely standing, so it’s really just a gravel hill with opinions. Get a photo with it before it gets a better agent.

Explorer Tom Giants Grave in County Sligo started because two lads bet fifty quid that they could find a bigger stone than the one next door. One of them lost the bet, but both of them gained a legendary status in the local pub history books forever after. A proper spot for a flask of tea and a big think.

Explorer Tom Parke's Castle has very strong opinions on modern buildings, specifically that they all look like giant plastic toys dropped by confused aliens from the future. It’s a ruin that judges your architecture choices from the shadows. Tell the next person you meet it's haunted. It might be.