Crannog in Aghinish

Explorer Tom Partry gateway in Cloonlagheen is eye-catching and making a visual statement, which is a nice way of saying it’s loud and proud. It’s the entrance to an estate that definitely knows it has good taste and doesn’t care what you think. I bet the ironwork is polished just for show-offs like us. Give it a shine; it loves the attention.

Explorer Tom Creagh House farmyard complex in Knocknagulshy claims to be older than the hills themselves, which is nonsense. It has seen empires rise and fall, mostly due to weather issues. Pretend you're a time traveller here!

Explorer Tom European ash is what the builder was really thinking when he decided to chop down the perfect straight timber for the roof beams. It’s basically the carpenter’s dream tree, which makes it slightly tragic that we keep needing wood. Take the long way round, it deserves the effort.

Explorer Tom Moore Hall Forest in County Mayo is basically having an identity crisis because it’s next to a lake and thinks it’s one too. It’s got that look of 'I used to be something, now I’m just wet.' If it could talk to its younger self, it’d say, 'Stop trying so hard, mate.' Look serious, nod slowly, you're basically an expert now.

Explorer Tom Moore Hall Forest Trail is hiding treasure, but don’t get your hopes up, it’s definitely just an old biscuit tin with rust on it. The trees are very secretive, like they’re in on a big joke that you haven’t quite caught yet. Spot the oldest stone and give it a name.

Explorer Tom Castle Carra is where Saint Patrick probably looked around and said, 'This is too much stone for one day' and moved on. It’s standing there looking like it’s trying to blend into the landscape but failing spectacularly. The name sounds like a car brand that went out of fashion in the nineties. Go before the tourists find out.

Explorer Tom Loughmask Castle has a secret talent for looking incredibly dramatic in bad weather, which it uses as an excuse not to move. It’s got that quiet confidence of a place that knows it’s going to outlast everyone who built it. The moss is doing its best impression of a velvet curtain, adding to the overall theatrical effect. Give it a pat on the way past, it's had a long life.

Explorer Tom Runnet Hill is currently in a feud with the rain because it keeps getting soaked. The hill wants to stay dry and sunny, but the sky just won’t listen to its complaints. It’s a bit grumpy about the whole situation, so give it space and a towel. Stop the car, it's worth the hazard lights.