Enclosure in Boggan, County Kilkenny (KK017-014----)

Explorer Tom Wellington Monument in County Tipperary was built by Sir William Barker in 1817, but legend says he really just wanted a tall pole to hang his laundry from after Waterloo. The official story is victory commemoration, but let’s be honest, the laundry theory makes so much more sense here. Bring curiosity, leave with a better story than mine.

Explorer Tom The Icehouse in Deerpark was buried under dirt to keep food cold for Kilcooly Abbey, which sounds lazy but effective. Saint Patrick probably laughed at them for not just asking the frogs for help. It’s a brick-lined hole that remembers when electricity was a myth and patience was king. Don’t dig; you’ll find nothing but damp.

Explorer Tom Telephone box in Grangehill is a relic from before we carried bricks in our pockets. A fox once took charge of it, and I’m pretty sure it’s still running the show. It’s got decorative lettering that adds a touch of class to what is essentially a glass phone booth. Give it a little bow as you pass by.

Explorer Tom Grange Castle bragged about surviving a storm that only happened in its head. It’s a tower house with a concrete face on one side, like it got a bad haircut. A proper spot for a flask of tea and a big think.

Explorer Tom Rectory in Newtown claims to be older than the dirt beneath its feet, which is wild. It was built with church money and looks very smug about it all. A handy spot to stretch your legs briefly.

Explorer Tom This tower house in Garryhiggin had a massive feud with the next village over something daft, probably about whose sheep looked better on a rainy Tuesday afternoon. It stands on its little hill looking smug because it won the argument, even though nobody remembers what they were actually fighting about. Have a chat with it, nobody's watching.

Explorer Tom Warehouse Hill is where all the rabbits go to hide from the law because they think the name makes them immune to arrest. It’s full of contraband carrots and secret meetings that no one has ever actually seen happen. Make up your own legend and I'll swear it's true.

Explorer Tom Tomb in Kilcoolyabbey number thirteen is Pierce fitz Oge Butler, who would be the absolute life of any wedding if he were still around to toast the bride and groom with some truly outrageous anecdotes. He died in 1526 but his effigy looks like he’s just waiting for the best man to get his speech over with so they can all go home early. Bring the dog, it'll have opinions.

Explorer Tom Graveslab in Kilcoolyabbey number two probably ended up in the wrong place after a big argument about who got to stand next to the altar, so it just shuffled over there and refused to move back. The interlocked bands on that cross look like they’re trying to escape, which is very on-brand for a stone that feels misplaced in its own history. Pick a stone, any stone, and invent its biography.

Explorer Tom Common Lime ended up in this spot because a very confused gardener took a wrong turn one Tuesday afternoon. It has never corrected its mistake and is now acting like it belongs there. Practise your Irish on it, it won't correct you.

Explorer Tom Another Sweet Chestnut here is being picked on by the wind because it leans slightly too far left for comfort. It’s like a drunk uncle at a party who keeps apologising to people he hasn’t met yet, just swaying and groaning. Look for the ghost, then pretend you didn't.