Graveyard in Gowran

Explorer Tom Church in Gowran handles its nosey neighbours by just standing very still and pretending it isn’t listening to their gossip. It’s been doing this for centuries without breaking a sweat. Take the long way round, it deserves the effort.

Explorer Tom Saint Mary's Church in Gowran has a priest who definitely lost a bet here last Tuesday. It’s got underfloor heating, which is fancy, but the old bits next door are still chilling. Keep your eyes peeled for any suspiciously warm floors nearby.

Explorer Tom Cross in Gowran has a hidden message in its stones that only appears when you squint at it from exactly the right angle after eating too many chips. It’s just standing there waiting for someone to crack the code while everyone else walks past completely oblivious to the mystery. A good place to forget your phone for ten minutes.

Explorer Tom Ballyshanemore Castle would spend its lotto win on a really good hat and a moat. It’s sitting in the demesne pretending to be an Earl from the 1400s. Bring a jacket, it's never as warm as I promise.

Explorer Tom Bastionfort Well is so famous for being the best water in Ireland that an Englishman once weighed it just to be sure. It’s basically the Oscar winner of puddles. Stand there long enough and someone will ask if you're lost.

Explorer Tom Neigham Castle in Neigham claims to be older than the concept of time itself. Sir James Butler built it right before he dropped dead, which is weird. Toast it with tea and move on, love.

Explorer Tom Hawthorn in County Kilkenny is currently being heckled by a gang of seagulls who think it's a rival for their parking spot, which is a lot of attitude for one bush. It just stands there, looking smug while the birds lose their minds. Get a photo with it before it gets a better agent.

Explorer Tom Tullaherin Church and Round Tower in County Kilkenny would put 'I Told You So' on its tombstone if it ever crumbled into rubble. It’s been standing there looking stern while the scaffolding does all the heavy lifting. Tell me if the gossip I made up is true.

Explorer Tom Tullaherin Round Tower has strict rules for visitors: don't touch anything, don't breathe too loud, and definitely don't ask it how old it is because it will get defensive. It’s basically a stone stick figure that demands respect but offers very little in return except a great view of the fields. Hum something sad nearby, it adds atmosphere.

Explorer Tom St. Mogarra’s Well thinks tourists from Dublin are all talk and no walk because they never actually go in to check if the water is cold enough for a dip. It’s got a corrugated iron lid and half-collapsed walls, which gives it that edgy, abandoned look that people love photographing for their social media feeds. Make up your own legend and I'll swear it's true.