Howe's Strand

Explorer Tom Coastguard station in Rochestown is now just a big stone skeleton staring at Courtmacsherry Bay. Those machicolations are still there, ready to drop rocks on anyone who looks too suspicious. Wake up and check if the roof is still falling off!

Explorer Tom Glanavirane House is a gate lodge with a hipped roof that thinks it’s the main house. It repeats the classical style of its neighbour but with less ego, mostly. Hang your hat and try not to look too impressed.

Explorer Tom Garranefeen Strand hosted a bet between two priests about whether the tide would come in before their lunchtime prayers ended. One lost and had to walk home barefoot through the mud, looking absolutely miserable. Have a wander and a wonder.

Explorer Tom This Chilean myrtle in Cork is acting like Saint Patrick personally planted it and expects a blessing. It says the saint called it 'a bit of a tourist trap' back then. Take a breath, it's older than your bad decisions.

Explorer Tom Flaxfort Strand claims Queen Victoria visited in secret just to check if the flax was still growing well, but nobody can find the diary entry to prove it was actually her. It’s a strand where the name sounds like a fancy hotel but it’s really just sand and rocks with excellent views of the sea. Best seen with a hangover and a sausage roll.

Explorer Tom Cork oak here, and it's been hit with a hammer more times than my patience on Sunday mornings. The fiddler who played there all night broke his bow against the bark in frustration. Ideal spot for a dramatic phone call about rent.

Explorer Tom Trinity Well is currently being managed by a very confident terrier named Sergeant Barker who barks at every cloud. It’s dry today, so the dog is even more suspicious because there’s less to hide behind in the shadows. Go in good boots and better humour.

Explorer Tom White Strand in County Cork claims to be older than the concept of time itself, which is a bold claim for a patch of sand that gets erased every morning by a very rude tide. It pretends to be ancient while secretly worrying about whether the gulls are judging its hairline. Ideal place to rehearse an excuse for being late.

Explorer Tom The Moving Statue would bring a small trolley to a party because it likes to change its mind about where it stands. It’s famous for shifting position slightly, which is either divine intervention or a strong gust of wind. Look serious, nod slowly, you're basically an expert now.

Explorer Tom Graveyard in Lisleetemple has headstones from the late 18th century to today, sitting next to a current Church of Ireland church on the site of an older one. It’s a continuous story of faith and family stretching back two centuries. Have a wander through!

Explorer Tom Old Head has been feuding with the rain since the last ice age and isn't about to stop now. It’s just standing there looking grumpy while the waves try to wash its dignity away. Make up your own legend and I'll swear it's true.

Explorer Tom Lusitania Memorial is dedicated to those lost on the Lusitania, and if this stone could talk, it would tell its younger self to stop worrying about the weather because the ocean doesn’t care about your forecast anyway. It’s a small monument with a big story, but I suspect it’s secretly judging your life choices right now. Tell the next person you meet it's haunted. It might be.