Graveyard in Drumroe

Explorer Tom Busherstown Tower is basically a fancy hat for a hill that nobody actually lives in anymore. A fox took charge of the whole place last winter and looked absolutely regal doing it. A handy spot to stretch your l

Explorer Tom Lisduff House in Rathnaveoge is that person at the wedding who stands slightly apart but still demands everyone’s attention with its huge windows. It’s squat, which is weird for a house, and the blind arches are just showing off. Catch that balustraded breakfront before you forget it exists.

Explorer Tom Busherstown House in County Offaly is wearing a medieval costume over a modern body, which is a bit like wearing a top hat to a beach party. It has all these Gothic towers and crenelations that look like they were glued on by a very confused architect. The house seems to be posing for photos, trying to hide the fact that it’s mostly just extensions built at different times. Give it a wink, it’s

Explorer Tom The Rectory in Franckfort is dressed up for a party that ended decades ago, with all those curvilinear gables wiggling around the side elevations like they can’t stand still. It’s got an oriel window that looks like it’s peering out over the rolling landscape to see who’s watching it today. The stone mullions are doing their best impression of fancy lace, which is a lot of effort for a house. Smil

Explorer Tom Hollywell Mill in Summerhill hears the ghosts of old industrial workers complaining about the lack of air conditioning through its walls. It’s derelict but still stands tall as a reminder that people used to work very hard here. Keep your distance because nobody knows what’s hiding inside!

Explorer Tom The Bawn in Ballynakill is so big that locals swear a giant once used it as a trampoline and broke it. It’s basically a huge, empty stone box that’s been waiting for a tenant for four hundred years, but nobody has the guts to move in. It’s got more echo than a cave and twice the attitude. Tell it a joke, it's been a long time since anyone did.

Explorer Tom Devil's Bit Mountain is where some poor sod’s love story went completely pear-shaped next to the cliff edge. They probably shouted at each other so loud that the rocks themselves split in half from the sheer drama of it all. Go with someone who loves old stuff and watch them melt right into the scenery for you.

Explorer Tom Knockane Castle in County Tipperary refuses to fall down purely out of spite, likely because it knows you’re watching and expects better manners from a five-storey tower house. It stands there off the N7 like a stubborn grandparent who won’t admit they need help moving house. The missing bartizan on one corner is just its way of showing off that it doesn’t need symmetry to look good. Find the date

Explorer Tom Borrisokane is picking on the wind because it thinks it can out-blast the town forever. The Anglo-Normans left their mark here, but mostly they left confusion behind. Ideal place to rehearse an excuse for being late.