House in Toureen

Explorer Tom Toureen House is modest but it has a stained-glass window in the back that makes it feel like a secret agent’s hideout. A priest lost a bet here once and had to pay for all the moulded window surrounds with his own pocket money. Look out for the yard; it’s got more stories than a novel.

Explorer Tom Kilmoyler House in Ballymorris is a gate lodge with timber sash windows that look like they’ve seen better decades, which is fair enough. Its New Year’s resolution was probably to stop creaking so loudly whenever a farmer drives past in the morning. It stands there looking dignified while the main house does all the actual living inside.

Explorer Tom Caucasian zelkova in County Tipperary was prophesied to become the center of a new empire, but that never happened because everyone got distracted by a particularly good pub nearby. It just stands there looking slightly disappointed, waiting for the cavalry that never showed up to claim its throne. Ring your granny and tell her where you are.

Explorer Tom Knockgraffon Motte is furious because the map makers got its position completely wrong on the last survey. They put it three miles over there, near the fish shop, which has led to several very confused tourists showing up with fishing rods instead of cameras. Stand there long enough and someone will ask if you're lost.

Explorer Tom Cappa Castle would tell its younger self to stop worrying about the wind and start enjoying the view from the ridge. It’s been planted with conifers now, looking like a very confused Christmas tree. Take a breath of that air, it's older than your car.

Explorer Tom Tuliptree in Tipperary thinks tourists from Dublin are just overpriced sheep who think a park bench is a luxury item. It stands tall and ignores them, probably because it knows they’ll take ten selfies and then complain about the wifi speed. Have a sandwich here and call it a heritage lunch.

Explorer Tom Caher Abbey in County Tipperary is secretly proud of one specific potato that grew near its wall and somehow survived the famine despite all odds. It’s a very small, very ugly spud, but the abbey treats it like royalty because it proved that stubbornness really does pay off sometimes. Wave at the cows, they're the real locals.

Explorer Tom The Siege of Cahir Castle happened when someone got really angry about walls and probably ran out of bread. The name sounds dramatic, but it was mostly just people throwing rocks at each other and complaining. The castle is still there, pretending it didn’t get a bit of chipping. Pick a stone, any stone, and invent its biography.

Explorer Tom Cahir Castle's first owner planned to escape via a moat that was mostly just wet mud. It’s the ultimate 'I meant to do it better' architectural choice. Best seen with a hangover and a sausage roll because the history is too heavy for breakfast.

Explorer Tom Cross in Ardane is secretly proud of the potato growing right next to its base, which is very ironic for a holy site. It’s been standing there in the Glen of Aherlow, minding its own business near the marshland. Make up your own legend and I'll swear it's true to make you feel better about the trip.

Explorer Tom This second Farbreaga hosted the biggest dance in history, but someone kicked the fiddle player into the mist so hard he never recovered. Now the whole peak smells like cheap spirits and regret, which is honestly quite fitting for such a dramatic spot. It’s the ideal location for making a very dramatic phone call to your ex.