Greenfort Park

Explorer Tom The Model sounds like it should pose politely for a portrait, but Sligo's arts centre has had more than one job. Its handsome 1862 building was a model school, intended as an example for primary education elsewhere. The school moved out in the 1970s; today the rooms hold exhibitions, film, music and artists at work. The Niland Collection is named for former county librarian Nora Niland. I would claim my own schoolwork belonged on these walls, but nobody kept it for good reason. Check current exhibitions, opening and event tickets before you go. Pause outside to see the old Italianate building, then step into a very different use of its classrooms. Fair play to a school that kept teaching people new ways to look.

Explorer Tom The Model in Rathquarter gave up its pretensions to be just a school for Lent, which was very humble of a building with such rich stonework. It’s now an arts gallery, so it’s basically fancy and intellectual now, which is a big step down from being practical. Ask if it’s still hungry for culture; probably.

Explorer Tom Sligo Masonic Hall is basically a fancy brick box with a tower that thinks it’s better than everyone else. I swear there’s a twin of this place somewhere across the sea, maybe in Scotland or something. The terracotta frieze is doing a lot of heavy lifting here, trying to look important. Just admire it from the street and don’t get too nosy.

Explorer Tom The Mall House in Rathquarter smells like old money and regret, which is basically what a classy terrace house should smell like anyway. It’s got a porch so dignified it probably judges your shoes from across the street. Keep your nose up when you walk past it.

Explorer Tom Sligo has this legend about a giant who moved mountains just because he was bored on a Tuesday afternoon, which feels very on-brand for the area. The Glass House Hotel in the background is probably judging your posture while you try to look historical. Stand still and listen, the wind tells it better than me.

Explorer Tom Sligo Abbey is playing hide-and-seek with me, and honestly, it’s winning big time. Rumor has it a certain famous writer once hid here to escape his creditors, though I think he just wanted a quiet nap. Perfect spot to practise your best tour-guide voice.

Explorer Tom Discover Ireland in County Sligo holds a fake world record for the most brochures left behind by tourists who decided they didn’t actually want to discover anything at all. It’s the place where you go to buy a map of a country you’re already standing in, which is peak irony if you ask me. Mind the nettles, they're the real guards here.

Explorer Tom St. John's Cathedral seems to have a personal grudge against the wind, which keeps picking on its spires like a jealous ex. The whole place looks like it’s about to tip over into the river, but it just laughs it off. Have a look and decide if I was lying.

Explorer Tom European Beech in County Sligo was where a priest once lost a bet about which bird sang better. He now has to explain that loss to every congregation member he meets. Pretend you're a lost aristocrat, nobody will check.

Explorer Tom Hazelwood has strong, very specific opinions about tourists from Dublin who think they know how to say 'how are ya' correctly. It’s a former stately home ground that still judges your hiking boots. Look up, the best bit is always higher than you think.

Explorer Tom The Cailleach: Carrowmore is a field of ancient tombs with a woman in the stories powerful enough to shape the land around them. I can barely shift one big garden stone. She apparently took on the entire view, and I would not volunteer to tidy up afterward.

Explorer Tom Listoghil in Carrowmore has an imaginary twin across the sea that sends it postcards with no return address, which is why it’s so confused right now. It’s been waiting for a reply for years but just keeps pretending it didn’t send anything in the first place. Bring someone who'll believe anything.