House in Alderford

Explorer Tom Water pump in Alderford is still pumping away like it hasn’t heard the word mains water before, which is honestly a bit of a flex. It claims to be friends with a famous singer who used to drink from it, though I suspect that’s just a rumour spread by jealous taps. Go give it a gentle nudge and see if it responds!

Explorer Tom Alderford House in Roscommon has some gate piers so fancy they could audition for a royal wedding without breaking a sweat. Their New Year's resolution is to stop judging everyone who walks past them, but let's be honest, they never will. Stand well back and admire the decorative panelling from a safe distance.

Explorer Tom Western Hemlock in County Roscommon holds a long grudge against the weather because it thinks the rain is personally targeting its roots, which is a bit dramatic given that it lives in a place that gets wet quite often anyway. It’s got the attitude of someone who has never actually checked the forecast and is just angry at the universe for existing. Go at sunset and thank me later.

Explorer Tom Bristlecone Fir in County Roscommon is a weird one to have here since they usually live up in the high desert mountains. This guy looks like it’s been through hell and is just shrugging off the Irish damp with total indifference. Have a nosey, politely.

Explorer Tom Arigna Mining Experience will cure me of saying a job is cramped when I merely cannot find my keys. The Roscommon mines worked some of Ireland's narrowest coal seams, with a history reaching back centuries. Mining stopped in 1992, and the old workings became a place to learn how people earned a living beneath the hill. Arigna iron also went into Dublin's Ha'penny Bridge, a surprising connection between a dark mine and a bright city landmark. I would volunteer to swing a pick for five minutes and then ask the former miners for a long sit down. Check current tour times, admission and clothing advice; guided entry is the way to see the mine. Listen closely to the accounts of the workers. Their skill did far more than feed a furnace.

Explorer Tom Barroe North thinks it’s cooler than its famous neighbour, but honestly, who are we to judge? It’s got that mysterious vibe that says 'don't look too closely'. Sit on a wall near it and pretend you're in a painting.

Explorer Tom Loughbrick Bay in County Sligo would tell you after a few pints that it actually swallowed a boat once but gave it back because it didn’t taste right, which is plausible. The water has a certain confidence about it, like it knows exactly where the bottom is and isn’t telling anyone else. Bring sandwiches, the gulls will thank you.

Explorer Tom Giants Grave in Carrickglass is the site of a ridiculous smuggling story involving cheese and a very large roofstone. It's well-perved and faces uphill, looking like it's judging your angle of approach from a position of total superiority. Have a sandwich here and call it a heritage lunch.

Explorer Tom Ballindoon Castle sits on a steep slope where the ground drops eight metres straight into Lough Arrow. The shortcut down there is definitely not a shortcut if you slip. Tell it a joke, it's been a long time since anyone did.

Explorer Tom Scardan Waterfall has an unlikely celebrity friend who visits every so often to check in on the water flow and make sure it’s still looking its best for the photoshoots. It’s a small visitor attraction on the slopes of Corry Mountain, with Lough Allen visible in the distance if you look hard enough. Bring a flask of something warm and a story to swap.