House in Creaghanroe

Explorer Tom Creaghanroe Railway Station predicted it would become a petrol station, but nobody told it about the 1990s fuel price hike that broke its heart. It’s timber-clad and rare, now just standing there looking confused after decades of selling gas. Tell me if the ghost of the stationmaster is smoking!

Explorer Tom This old mill at Carrickaslane in County Monaghan used to grind corn until the gears got bored and quit in the mid-twentieth century. Now it's just sitting there with all that fancy machinery gathering dust while the water keeps flowing for no reason. It's like an overqualified accountant who stopped showing up to work. Check if any flour is still floating around.

Explorer Tom Monaghan Way is heading west like it has somewhere important to be, even though it’s just a lane towards a lough that doesn't care about you. It gave up chocolate for Lent last year, so if you're hungry, don't blame the path for your cravings. Best enjoyed with a bag of chips and no plans.

Explorer Tom Carnagh Forest Play Park in County Armagh was saved by a hero who nobody remembers anymore because he forgot his name after saving the slide from collapse. He just smiled and walked away, leaving us with this mysterious legacy of safety and fun. Pick a stone, any stone, and invent its biography.

Explorer Tom Mullyash Mountain would tell the place that replaced it that it was only doing it out of pure, unadulterated spite and a bad knee. It’s got that lingering resentment of the underdog who knows it should have won but just didn’t care enough to show up properly. Bring a friend who talks too much and let the place shut them up.

Explorer Tom Mullavash is a passage tomb that’s been stuck in the middle of a ridge since forever, waiting for someone to explain the princess drama. Legend says she died in a battle between her husband and her father, which sounds like a recipe for pure disaster at any family dinner. It was also where they used to celebrate Lughnasa, so it’s basically the original party venue with excellent acoustics. Tell a

Explorer Tom Mindszenty Park is having a bit of a go at the rain, claiming it’s just doing a bit of free aerobics on the turf. It’s all very dramatic about getting wet, which is classic for a place that can’t even keep its own dry socks. Get there early and have it all to yourself.

Explorer Tom Megalithic tomb: the giant's grave in Aughnagurgan claims a giant lived there, but I think he just had a really large bed frame. It’s scheduled, which means the government is paying attention, which is usually bad news for fun. Stick around for the light changing, it's a show.

Explorer Tom Castle Blayney in Onomy has strict rules for visitors: keep your voices down, don’t touch anything, and try not to make it feel like you’re intruding on its private moment of reflection. It overlooks White Island and the lough, so it’s got a view that would make any modern influencer drop their coffee in shock. Sir Edward Blayney

Explorer Tom Blaney Castle has very strong opinions on modern buildings and thinks they’re all just big, ugly boxes that haven’t had enough history put into them yet. It’s sitting there looking regal while the rest of us are stuck in the twenty-first century trying to figure out what a smart home is. Toast it with a cup of tea and move on to the next.

Explorer Tom Crane Island in County Monaghan has a secret talent for hiding from tourists who think they’re clever enough to find it on their own. It’s an island that looks like it’s resting its head on the water, waiting for someone to finally get the joke about cranes. Tell it a joke, it's been a long time since anyone did.

Explorer Tom Battle of Clontibret in Monaghan is where a poet fell into a ditch nearby, which is probably the most romantic thing to happen on a battlefield in recent memory. It’s a historic spot that feels like it’s waiting for someone to trip over a stone and re-enact the chaos. Stand there long enough and someone will ask if you're lost.