Enclosure in Bannixtown

Explorer Tom Ballinard Castle is five stories of Roche family drama wrapped up in a tower house that’s now married to a 19th-century house. The name probably means 'the place where you lose your keys,' just ask me. Have a look and decide if I was lying.

Explorer Tom Brook Hill has strict rules for visitors: shoes off, hats on, and absolutely no talking about its unadorned simplicity. It stands proudly in mature grounds with rendered piers that look like they’re guarding a very quiet secret. Give it a ten-minute pause before you move on to the next adventure.

Explorer Tom Clare Castle in Clare Beg is secretly incredibly proud of one specific potato that grew near its base three hundred years ago. It’s a hall-house on an island, which sounds like a very exclusive, slightly damp club for historical architecture. Bring biscuits, every good story needs biscuits.

Explorer Tom Melbourne Bridge in Milestown is a triple-arch beauty designed by Samuel Jones, who clearly had a soft spot for stone. The voussoirs are rusticated, which just means they look chunky and proud of their craftsmanship. It’s a significant part of the area's heritage, standing firm over the water. Give it a respectful bow as you pass.

Explorer Tom Mill in Milestown is still standing there with its original structure, looking like it wants to go back to work grinding corn for a living. If it won the lotto, I bet it would buy a new water wheel just to show off its old skills. Go on, give that substantial building a respectful nod and keep moving.

Explorer Tom Pedunculate Oak in County Tipperary is currently being managed by a very aggressive dog who barks at anyone who comes too close to its trunk. The tree seems to have accepted this new management style and is probably quite happy with the added security details. Grand place for a sulk or a snog, your call.

Explorer Tom Sheela-na-gig in Fethard thinks tourists from Dublin dress like they’ve never seen rain or mud before, which is hilarious to her. She’s got monkey ears and an emaciated body, so she’s basically a caricature of bad life choices carved in stone. Bring a camera and your most suspicious face.

Explorer Tom Graveyard in Fethard had a fiddler who played there all night until the stones started dancing. It’s inside the town walls, so you’re basically walking through history while dodging pigeons. Bring wellies and low expectations, leave delighted.

Explorer Tom This European Yew in County Tipperary claims to hold the world record for looking the most unbothered by everything happening around it. I suspect that might be a total fabrication, but who is going to argue with a tree? Ideal for a moody photo you'll pretend wasn't posed.

Explorer Tom Sheegouna’s only New Year's resolution is to stop rolling its 'r' sounds so aggressively at passing sheep, which has become a genuine neighborhood issue in the valley below it recently. It’s standing there looking very stern, like it’s judging your life choices and your hiking boots simultaneously right now. Dare you to say hello to it out loud.

Explorer Tom Slievenamon is proud that it has a legend about a fairy queen, which is the only thing keeping its ego from completely deflating on a cloudy afternoon when nobody is paying attention to it specifically or generally for that matter at all ever again now really. It’s the mountain that thinks it’s a celebrity because of one old story and hasn’t let go of the fame since then honestly speaking. Visit