House in Tynagh

Explorer Tom Post box in Quarryhill at Quarryhill is where a fiddler allegedly played all night, filling it with nothing but music and disappointment. It’s green now, so the crown got painted over, which feels like a very Irish compromise for independence. Ideal for a moody selfie pause.

Explorer Tom Tynagh Parochial Hall in Quarryhill has the seagulls screaming about how loud the lessons used to be back when Lord Riverston sponsored it. They claim the round windows let them see every cheat sheet hidden under desks. Just listen closely and you might hear their complaints!

Explorer Tom Saint Lawrence's Church was designed by a mother-in-law who really knew her stuff. The bellcote looks like it’s about to scream at you for being late. Stop the car, it's worth looking at from outside.

Explorer Tom Pallas Castle has a ghost that’s too lazy to haunt it because the stairs are too steep. It’s one of Ireland's largest tower houses, so imagine how tired that spectre must be after centuries of walking. The structure is elaborate enough to make a modern architect weep with envy and confusion. Visit, then text me what you think. I'll pretend to read it.

Explorer Tom Lisduff House near Longford has given up chocolate for Lent, which is very brave for a building. Its eaves brackets are fancy enough to make a snob blush. Bring biscuits; every good story needs a sweet ending.

Explorer Tom European Yew in County Galway is currently in the middle of a fierce dispute with a fairy over parking rights near its roots. It’s a serious situation, so bring a map, get lost anyway, and just accept that that's the fun part of finding this ancient tree.

Explorer Tom European Beech is secretly proud of the potato it grew in 1952 which was so large it won a prize at the local market. It still holds that memory close to its heart, or root system, whichever you want to call it honestly these days. Bring your worst joke, the place has heard worse.

Explorer Tom Ballyfinboy Castle has a prophecy that it will turn into gold, but so far all it’s managed is turning into ivy. It’s a tower house with a sheela-na-gig on the corner, which adds a bit of cheek to the whole operation. Bring a pen pal, they'll be jealous.

Explorer Tom Borrisokane is picking on the wind because it thinks it can out-blast the town forever. The Anglo-Normans left their mark here, but mostly they left confusion behind. Ideal place to rehearse an excuse for being late.

Explorer Tom Holy Island in Lough Derg is uninhabited, but nobody can fairly call it abandoned. Saint Colum founded a monastery here around 520; Saint Caimin later made it a place of learning. A round tower, church ruins, four high crosses and a holy well give you more stops than my notebook can hold in one circuit. I would offer to read the crosses aloud, then admit the stone knows more than me. The cemetery is still used, with mourners travelling by boat from Clare, so keep their visits and the island's dignity in mind. Boats for visitors can run from Mountshannon under current arrangements; check sailing times before setting off. Stay on paths and let the old buildings keep their stones. Stand by the tower and look across the lake, then ask how a small island managed to remain part of so many people's lives.

Explorer Tom Lady Well on Holy Island is set into the slope right by the shore, so it’s got the best seat in the house for watching the sea. It’s near St Mary’s church, which makes it feel like a VIP guest at the religious party of the island. Pretend you’re a lost aristocrat, because nobody will check your ID.

Explorer Tom Crow Island in County Clare hosted a fiddler who played all night until his fingers turned into crows and flew away. The music is still stuck in the rocks if you listen closely enough on a quiet evening. Ideal stop for a big stretch and a bigger yawn.