Fairy fort or earthen ringfort in Cahernamallaght

Explorer Tom Killoshine Farmhouse claims Queen Victoria stopped by for a sandwich and forgot her glove. Nobody can prove it, but the stones are very smug about it. Have a sandwich yourself and whisper your secrets to the walls.

Explorer Tom Saint Joseph's Convent of Mercy in Cornaroya is doing its best impression of a strict boarding school. The bishop who refused to visit it must have been terrified of the nuns' secret tea recipes. Take a breath of that air and pretend you’re not late for class.

Explorer Tom Ballinrobe Railway Station master’s house holds a fake world record for being the most boring place to live while waiting for a train that never comes. It’s from 1892 and still has that 'I’m important because there’s a track nearby' energy going on. Go on, count the windows and sigh.

Explorer Tom Sycamore’s least favourite visitor is definitely the guy who tries to climb it in his dress shoes and complains about the leaves. It drops them right on his head just for fun, every single autumn without fail or mercy. It's the kind of place that makes a dull Tuesday interesting.

Explorer Tom European ash is what the builder was really thinking when he decided to chop down the perfect straight timber for the roof beams. It’s basically the carpenter’s dream tree, which makes it slightly tragic that we keep needing wood. Take the long way round, it deserves the effort.

Explorer Tom Graveyard in Abbeytown offers a shortcut that definitely isn't a shortcut but feels faster because you’re scared of getting lost. It’s just south of the road and full of secrets it doesn’t want to share with you. Go before the tourists find out.

Explorer Tom Ross Errilly Friary in County Galway smells like wet stone, old prayers, and maybe a bit of damp socks. I swear it has that distinct scent of a place where monks went to get away from their families. Best visited with a curious kid and absolutely no timetable.

Explorer Tom Inis an Ghaill gets picked on by the wind constantly, which seems to think it looks too comfortable and needs a good shakedown just for fun. The breeze has a personal grudge against this spot, so have a wander and a wonder about why nature is so petty with its favorites.