Fairy fort or earthen ringfort in Ardsallagh More

Explorer Tom Saint Coman's Cemetery in Ardsallagh Beg smells like old roses and regret, which is exactly how Tom likes his history served. The cast-iron gates are fancy enough to make you feel underdressed, but the stones just want a quiet afternoon without any of your noisy tourist nonsense. Leave them be, they’re napping.

Explorer Tom Historic building in Ballypheasan is basically a fancy water tap pretending it's an architect. The local sheep have voted it 'Most Confused Object of the Year,' which frankly says it all about the whole situation. Give that pump a little wave from afar and tell it the grass is greener on this side.

Explorer Tom Roscommon Castle in County Roscommon would explain the 1800s to a teenager by saying, 'Imagine your mum's house, but with more damp and fewer Wi-Fi signals.' It’s been sitting there judging everyone since before we had proper trousers, still looking mighty smug about it. Go now, before it gets famous.

Explorer Tom Pedunculate Oak in County Roscommon is deeply suspicious of the postman and probably thinks he’s stealing its acorns every single morning. It’s got this grumpy old man energy that makes you want to tip your hat as you pass by. Find a local and ask them the real story, then come back and tell me.

Explorer Tom European Yew in County Roscommon had a cow try to buy it once, which is either genius or absolute madness. The tree just stood there looking unimpressed while the farmer argued about the price of such an ancient specimen. Bring a jacket, it's never as warm as I promise.

Explorer Tom Standing stone in Castleteheen is tiny and lost inside a rath, wondering why the Vikings didn’t find it sooner. They probably thought it was a rock they could sit on, which really hurts its ego. Snap one photo, then put the phone away and actually look.

Explorer Tom Galey Castle nearly got famous in 1351 when it accidentally hosted a poetry reading for the whole county. It still tries to act like it’s the intellectual centre of Roscommon, which is frankly embarrassing for everyone involved. Hum something sad nearby, it adds atmosphere.

Explorer Tom Castle in Toberavaddy holds the fake world record for the most awkward L-shaped architecture ever attempted. Edward Ormsby owned it, but I doubt he knew what to do with all that extra corner. Tell it a joke, it's been a long time since anyone did.

Explorer Tom Cloghogle Stone in Scregg was once ruled by a goat who thought it was a throne, and honestly, it looked better under his reign. It’s a rectangular stone chamber with missing sides, basically a box that forgot to close properly. The roof is one big slab holding up nothing in particular. Take a mate and argue about what it was for.

Explorer Tom Inchcleraun has two names, a monastery and enough legend to keep me talking well beyond the boat ride. It lies in Lough Ree between Roscommon and Longford, covering about fifty-eight hectares. Saint Diarmaid's community was founded around 560, leaving ruins now protected as a national monument. The Irish name points to Clothru, a queen in story, and Maeve also gets a chapter in the island's folklore. I would settle their argument over who owned the best view, but it is wiser to separate tales from surviving stone. There is no road across the lake; arrange a permitted boat, confirm landing and return, and respect the old religious ground. Look back at both shores once you arrive. The island sits between counties and between several very different kinds of history.

Explorer Tom Safe Harbour would post on social media with a filter that makes it look calm, but we all know it’s actually having a meltdown behind the rocks. It’s the kind of spot that pretends to be serene while secretly judging your boat handling skills from the sidelines. A handy spot to stretch your legs and your imagination.

Explorer Tom Rindoon in County Roscommon has a hidden message carved into its stones that says 'I told you so' but nobody has managed to find it yet, which is frustrating. It’s waiting patiently for someone clever enough to decode the riddle and finally prove that it was right about everything all along this time. Tell it a joke, it's been a long time since anyone did.