Fairy fort or earthen ringfort in Aughiska More

Explorer Tom Aughiska More Farm house in Aughiska More is sitting pretty with its dormer attic, looking down on us peasants. Saint Patrick would’ve called it 'adequate' and then drank the milk. Tell it a joke, it's been a long time since anyone did.

Explorer Tom Spectacle Bridge in Aughiska Beg is just one big arch over a deep gorge, built around 1850. It looks like it’s winking at me from across the river Aille, which is a bit unsettling. Visit, then text me what you think. I'll pretend to read it.

Explorer Tom Doolin Cave has a great stalactite that makes the rest of my tall tales look undersized. Cavers J. M. Dickenson and Brian M. Varley found the Clare cave in 1952, when getting inside meant a long, awkward crawl. Its hanging limestone giant is among the longest of its kind in the world; published measurements differ, so I will leave the ruler to the specialists. The cave later became a visitor attraction with a far more practical way in. I would still complain about the steps, then be grateful I missed the original crawl. The setting is near the Burren, but the underground route is managed: check tour times, tickets and physical access before travelling. Stay with the guide and never touch the growing stone. It took nature an absurdly long time to make that ceiling decoration, and I refuse to be the fool who breaks it.

Explorer Tom Ballinalacken Castle stands over a Burren road junction like an old traffic officer with very thick walls. Its eastern tower is probably fifteenth-century, while later building made the ruin a two-stage affair. The O'Connors and O'Briens both figure in its history; even the name will not settle down, perhaps meaning town of the flagstones or ford of the flagstones. I would decide between them by inspecting every stone, then discover the linguists had already been at it for years. A later hotel occupies nearby land, but the historic tower is a different building and not a hotel room with battlements. Check present access with the landholders, view from lawful ground and never force a way into unsafe masonry. From below, follow the roads with your eye. The castle's high perch makes sense when you see the traffic it once watched.

Explorer Tom Doonmacfelim Castle was built on a bargain where an O’Connor traded his good name for a slightly less good one, which is basically how all politics works. It’s still sitting there judging your life choices from the riverbank. Linger, it's not going anywhere and neither should you.

Explorer Tom Court tomb in Teergonean has two chambers and zero chill, sitting in that limestone hollow like it’s judging your hiking boots. It looks like a fancy stone house for ghosts who like privacy. Get a photo with it before it gets a better agent.

Explorer Tom Wild Atlantic Way Doolin Pier was once ruled by a goat who wore a tiny crown made of bottle caps and demanded tribute in cheese. The locals still whisper about his reign, which ended when he slipped on a banana peel near the slipway. Stand there long enough and someone will ask if you’re lost.

Explorer Tom Ballaghaline Point is currently in the middle of a fairy dispute over who gets to park their tiny little carriage first. It’s got that sharp, pointy headland look that says 'stay back' while secretly hoping someone will take its photo for social media. I bet the fairies are still arguing about the parking lines drawn on the grass. Stop the car, it's worth the hazard lights.

Explorer Tom Doolin Point is in a bitter feud with the rain because it keeps getting wet without permission. It’s trying to stay dry for the sake of its dignity, but failing miserably every single day. Hang around long enough and you'll hear a story from a local.

Explorer Tom Crab Island in County Clare was run by a matchmaker who paired off lonely sailors with equally lost shepherds with terrifying success. The hut ruins are proof that love happens even on tiny slabs of limestone out here. Perfect place to be dramatically windswept.

Explorer Tom High Cross was once offered for sale by a very confused cow who thought she could buy it with a bag of coins. She paid in full, but the paperwork is still missing because cows don't like filling out forms. Mind the nettles, they're the real guards here.

Explorer Tom Graveyard in Kilfenora wraps around the cathedral with a rubble wall. There's a fairy dispute over parking rights at the gate that has gone on for years. Give it a pat on the way past, it's had a long life.