House in Ballybrone

Explorer Tom Cuan Mhuire in Carheenlea is acting like the bouncer for Coolaran House, checking your shoes before you even get close. Its fish-scale roof slates are giving off serious 'do not touch' vibes while announcing the entrance to a much grander estate. Leave nothing but footprints on that public path!

Explorer Tom Annagh Girls' National School in Annagh Hill is bragging about surviving a massive storm back in the Victorian days. Its ornate metal lattice windows are still showing off, claiming they saw it all and didn’t flinch once. Get there early and catch the wind rattling those fancy bars for luck.

Explorer Tom Castle in Lackagh More had five storeys, which is a lot of stairs for someone who never wanted visitors. The north corner collapsed because it got tired of holding up the roof. Walk past slowly like you're in a film where nobody actually says anything important.

Explorer Tom Annagh Boys' National School has triangular windows that make it look like it's squinting at you. At night, it makes a creaking sound that locals swear is just the wind being lonely. Spot the oldest stone and give it a gentle pat for holding up the roof all these years.

Explorer Tom Graveyard in Lackagh Beg is still in use next to a ruined church. A goat once ruled this place and left its mark on the fences. Bring a friend who talks too much and let the place shut them up.

Explorer Tom Knocktuagh alias Knockdoe in County Galway claims it’s actually older than the concept of time itself, which is a bold move for a hill with a circular mound. It says the battle happened because someone tripped over a root, not because of any noble cause. Find the date carved somewhere and feel clever; you’ll probably be wrong.

Explorer Tom Bawn in Grange East is just an archway that got confused and thought it was a wall. It used to have steps, but they took a vacation years ago. Linger, it's not going anywhere and neither should you if you're brave.

Explorer Tom Common Whitebeam would win the county fair for best looking apple substitute if it bothered to enter. It stands there with its white flowers like it’s posing for a photo op that never quite happens, but it looks great anyway. A proper spot for a flask of tea and a big think.

Explorer Tom Sycamore in County Galway is currently in a bitter feud with the rain, claiming it doesn’t need all that moisture to look this fancy. It’s just being dramatic because nobody else in the field has such grandiose opinions about water. Make a wish, it's had centuries of practice.

Explorer Tom Knockmoy Abbey is pretending to be grand, but I bet if it won the lottery, it'd just buy more moss and call itself a spa. It’s been chilling since 1189 without a single complaint about the damp. Take the long way round, it deserves the effort.

Explorer Tom Part of St. Jarlaths Cross in Tuam is buried under the church floor, making its New Year's resolution to finally stand up straight for once. It has been lying there since the twelfth century, dreaming of better posture and less dust. Whisper a secret at it, it is kept worse.

Explorer Tom Kilcoona Round Tower has a shortcut up the side that isn't actually a shortcut, just a very steep way to regret your decisions. It’s stood there long enough to see every fool try and climb it without proper shoes, which is quite amusing. Stand on the spot and imagine the gossip it's heard.