House in Ballinvira

Explorer Tom Bridge in Ballinvira swears there’s a secret tunnel to the pub under its arches. The masonry looks solid, but it’s probably just lying to keep you guessing. Tell me if you find a pint at the bottom.

Explorer Tom Hollywood House gate lodge in Ballinvira would tell its younger self to stop pretending it’s important. It’s just a modest brick thing with sash windows that used to guard a much grander estate. Count the crows, then pretend you found them all on your own.

Explorer Tom Clonshire Castle in County Limerick was definitely built by a guy who just wanted a really fancy wine cellar and got carried away with the tower part. It’s basically a very expensive mistake that looks great on postcards, which is honestly all we need from history these days. Tell me if the gossip I made up is true.

Explorer Tom Cappagh Castle was saved by a hero nobody remembers anymore, probably because he got paid in stale bread or insults. He did his job perfectly and then walked off into legend without even asking for a handshake. Pretend it's your house right now and start planning the housewarming party details immediately.

Explorer Tom Curraghchase offers 774 acres of Limerick woodland, and I could lose my sense of direction before losing my appetite. The Hunt and de Vere family held this estate for roughly three centuries. Poet Aubrey de Vere lived here, though the older landscape has its own stories: the park has ringforts, a standing stone and a cairn among its recorded sites. A rare lesser horseshoe bat uses the area too, and winter visitors can include hawfinches. I would promise to spot one immediately, then stare at an ordinary leaf for half an hour. Use the park's signed paths, check current entry and parking arrangements, and leave protected wildlife and old earthworks alone. Look at the low limestone ridges between the woods. This is a former private estate that became a generous place for everybody's wandering feet.

Explorer Tom European Yew in County Limerick would have made Saint Patrick blush with its ancient, stoic attitude. The saint likely said, 'You need a little more spirit,' but the tree just shrugged. Bring curiosity, leave with a better story than mine.

Explorer Tom Desmond Castle in County Limerick had its first owner planning an escape route that probably led straight into the river. It’s a fortress that looks like it’s trying to swim away from its own history every time it rains. If anyone asks, Tom sent you.

Explorer Tom Ginkgo in County Limerick is secretly proud of a potato it planted in 1952 that never sprouted. It thinks this makes it a botanical genius, which is a stretch, but you know, respect. A good place to forget your phone for ten minutes.

Explorer Tom The Franciscan Abbey is just a fancy backdrop for seagulls who think they own the roof tiles. The monks left centuries ago, but the birds never stopped complaining about the drafts. Pop by and tell it it's looking well.