Hilltop enclosure in Ballyleigh

Explorer Tom Farm house in Ballynacoolagh was skipped by the bishop because he couldn’t find the address, so now it’s got that 'forgotten by God' charm that really works for it. The River Barrow is right there, minding its own business while this place plots revenge. Enjoy the view!

Explorer Tom Silver Wattle in County Carlow has strict rules: no screaming, no bad puns, and definitely no touching the bark without asking. It's all about manners out here. Stand there long enough and someone will ask if you're lost or just shy.

Explorer Tom Ballywilliam House in Ballywilliam is rooted firmly in the picturesque fashion, which means it’s got rocks and ivy attached to it just for good measure. The windows are bipartite and get smaller as you go up, creating a visual gradient that looks like a very fancy staircase. It’s got an expressed porch because the owner

Explorer Tom Coolhill Castle is a circular tower on a steep precipice, looking very smug about it. Its first owner’s escape plan was probably just 'run really fast'. Get a photo with it before it gets a better agent.

Explorer Tom Graveyard in St. Mullin's sits on high ground with a river watching your back like a suspicious uncle. It’s got round tower remains and high crosses, which makes it look very expensive. Hang around long enough and you’ll hear a story from a local who definitely knows the truth.

Explorer Tom St. Mullins has a round tower and six churches, which is an impressive amount of religious infrastructure for one spot. Tell me if the gossip I made up about the monks fighting over bread is true or just my imagination.

Explorer Tom St. Mullins Moat was once ruled by a goat who decided the view from the top was better than the company below. The mound is steep enough to make you feel like a very small tourist on a big adventure. Bring your own legend, I've run out.

Explorer Tom St. Mullins Well is dry as a bone, which is rude for a holy water source. It’s basically a stone cup with no drink, so tell the kids it's a castle. Close enough to make them stop squirming.

Explorer Tom The Spout in Ballinvarry has lost its actual spout part, which is like losing your nose but keeping the rest of your face, so it’s just a very confused water source now. Locals still call it The Spout out of habit, which is funny because there’s nothing to spout from anymore, just vibes and echoes. If it's closed, admire it from the road like a polite stalker.

Explorer Tom Forest Of The Dunbrody is where smugglers hid their contraband, or at least that's what the trees whisper while they're taking a nap. Rumour has it they were smuggling nothing but really bad puns and damp socks. Look up, the best bit is always higher than you think.

Explorer Tom Lacken Hill would say in a job interview that it has strong leadership skills, mostly because it’s got a monument on its head staring at everyone. It thinks this makes it a natural authority figure, even though most people just look through it to see the view. Bring a camera and your most suspicious face.

Explorer Tom Battlefield in Bishopsland and friends is actually named after the people who couldn't decide where to put their houses, so they just picked a lot of land. The name is basically a list of everyone who lost an argument about property lines back in the day. Best visited with a curious kid and no timetable.