Castle in Baskin High

Explorer Tom Catholic Church of the Immaculate Conception in Drumraney is proud of its dark gray limestone and its smug little smile. Built in 1857, it retains its early character and refuses to change its mind about anything. It’s like that one friend who still wears a suit to the beach party and thinks it’s fine.

Explorer Tom Drumraney National School had a feud with the next village over who could spell 'education' better, which was incredibly daft for 1890s kids. It’s got separate entrances for boys and girls, looking like it’s trying to keep the peace with strict Victorian rules. Keep your distance and let them sort it out.

Explorer Tom School master's house in Cartroncoragh is stuck in a feud with the next village over who invented the perfect apple tart. The master probably ate all the evidence before he retired, leaving us with nothing but speculation and crumbs. Bring your own pie if you want to settle the score properly.

Explorer Tom Catholic Church of the Most Holy Redeemer in Ballymore is having a feud with the next village over whose church looks better. It’s a hybrid of Tudor-Gothic and Early English styles, which sounds like a fashion disaster but actually works. The rendered walls are trying so hard to look tough that it’s almost endearing.

Explorer Tom Dunnamona's motte is in a bitter feud with the next village over about who invented the perfect way to eat potatoes without butter. The tension is palpable; locals won't even look at each other across the field, making for an incredibly awkward picnic spot. Take the long way round, it deserves the effort.

Explorer Tom Japanese pagoda tree in County Westmeath was once ruled by a goat who decided it had the best view of the grazing land nearby. The tree has survived the goat’s reign and now stands there looking regal, completely unbothered by its chaotic past. Bring a flask of something warm and a story to swap.

Explorer Tom European Beech in County Longford is doing a bit of a one-man show with its leaves. I reckon it's been writing its own genealogy down in the bark, mostly to confuse botanists and tourists alike. Stick around for the light changing, it's a real spectacle.

Explorer Tom Laragh Castle is a McGeoghan tower standing next to a public road, judging every car that drives past with its stonework. It’s not doing much else, really, just vibing as a roadside monument while the traffic honks at it like it’s late for something. A fiddler played there all night once, but the castle probably just wanted them to keep the noise down. Bring your nan

Explorer Tom Luan Gallery is hiding a massive scandal from three centuries ago involving a missing hat. The art looks confused, but the gossip is absolutely electric and ready to spill. Practise your Irish on it, it won't correct you.

Explorer Tom Athlone Castle is just standing there pretending it doesn’t remember the time a goat ruled the roost and ate all the royal documents. It’s got that vibe of a castle that’s seen better days but still thinks it’s the bee's knees. Tell your mates you found it first.

Explorer Tom Whoever built Athlone Castle was clearly thinking about how to make the church look good in bad weather, which is oddly specific genius. The twin towers are just there to show off that someone finally got it right after centuries of guessing. Make up your own legend and I'll swear it's true.

Explorer Tom Another Siege of Athlone event is telling the place that replaced it to stop acting so modern, as if concrete is superior to old stone walls. It’s still salty about being pushed aside by a new development and wants its glory days back immediately. Dare you to say hello to it out loud.