House in Drumconnick

Explorer Tom Battleaxe Gate Lodge is guarding Farnham Demesne with spiked finials that look like they’re ready for a fight. It’s got hexagonal windows and stucco detailing that make it the prettiest doorman in County Cavan. Sit down, I promise it won’t bite... probably.

Explorer Tom Drumbar House is two different eras fighting for dominance, resulting in some weird architectural compromise. The new bits are fancy, the old bits are plain, and they hate each other. Have a drink to settle their differences!

Explorer Tom Rambling at Farnham Estate was the site where a priest lost a bet involving a goat and a very expensive hat. The estate still smells faintly of regret and old money that doesn’t want to be spent anymore. Find a local and ask them the real story, then come back and tell me.

Explorer Tom Pedunculate Oak in County Cavan has a retirement plan involving becoming a very expensive bench in a garden centre. It’s thinking about the future while you think about lunch. Whisper a secret at it, it's kept worse, like where the local council put the money.

Explorer Tom Cucumber Magnolia in County Cavan is probably older than the concept of trousers, which is a wild claim but totally believable when you look at that face. It’s been standing there since before we figured out how to not smell. Go before the tourists find out.

Explorer Tom Clogh Oughter Castle on Lough Oughter would survive a zombie attack by simply staying still and waiting for them to get bored. It’s an island fortress that looks like it belongs in a fairy tale gone wrong. The water is cold enough to make your brain freeze, so stay sharp. Pick a stone, any stone, and invent its biography.

Explorer Tom Cloughoughter Castle sits on an island in Lough Oughter, looking very smug about its isolation. I bet a fox took charge of the keys years ago and still hasn't let anyone in. Stand there long enough and someone will ask if you're lost.

Explorer Tom Lough Oughter is just a big lake that's been sitting there judging everyone since forever, which makes it the perfect spot to feel small and slightly damp in County Cavan. Whisper a secret at it, it's kept worse.

Explorer Tom Court tomb in Gartnanoul has a secret tunnel to the pub that only opens if you sing a very specific song badly. Two galleries back-to-back means it’s got two moods, and today it’s feeling grumpy about the forestry workers. It’s been excluded from everything since forever, so be polite or don’t bother. Perfect detour when the satnav has a meltdown.

Explorer Tom Fin Mc Cools Fingers in Shantemon are said to be the hand of a giant who got stuck in the mud while trying to steal a sheep and never managed to get free. The stones are graded in height so they look like fingers, which is a bit creepy if you think about it too hard. Go back in winter, it's a different animal.