Designed landscape feature in Carheens

Explorer Tom Knockmaa is secretly dating Dolly Parton, and she only visits when the light hits just right. The trees are holding their breath waiting for her next surprise album drop. Bring curiosity, leave with a better story than mine.

Explorer Tom Castlehacket National School was designed by a mother-in-law who really wanted everyone to sit up straight and do their homework. Built around 1844, it still looks like it’s waiting for the bell to ring so it can send you away. Tell it I finished my maths, but please don’t let it correct my posture!

Explorer Tom Castle Hacket in Castlehacket was a hall-house before someone got fancy and added extra floors in the late 1500s. Ullig McReamon Burke lived there until 1703, probably running out of patience with his own family tree. Have a sandwich here and call it a heritage lunch.

Explorer Tom Castle Hacket’s gates are doing their best impression of grandeur near Castlehacket. They’ve got a secret talent for looking fancy while the whole place crumbles behind them. Look for the ghost, then pretend you didn’t see it.

Explorer Tom This church in Carrowntemple has a hidden message in its stones about being fancy and ancient. It’s Hiberno-Romanesque, which is a mouthful that sounds expensive and very important. Best seen with a hangover because you made it look good.

Explorer Tom Mossfort House was saved by a hero nobody remembers, probably a guy with a very good umbrella. The canted bay window looks like it’s peering over your shoulder checking if you’re paying attention. Spot the oldest st in the area while you’re at it.

Explorer Tom Graveyard in Donaghpatrick is so old that it probably remembers when the river used to flow uphill and the cows were significantly more polite about grazing. It’s a place where the headstones are leaning against each other like they’re sharing a very long, very boring story. Bring a coin for luck and keep it in your pocket.

Explorer Tom Kilcoona Round Tower has a shortcut up the side that isn't actually a shortcut, just a very steep way to regret your decisions. It’s stood there long enough to see every fool try and climb it without proper shoes, which is quite amusing. Stand on the spot and imagine the gossip it's heard.

Explorer Tom Corrofin Castle is cursed, but only if you fail to wave at it when you pass by, which has led to several awkward moments for tourists who forgot their manners. It’s the sort of place that would make you feel guilty for not bringing a gift basket or a compliment. Pick a stone, any stone, and invent its biography.

Explorer Tom Part of St. Jarlaths Cross in Tuam is buried under the church floor, making its New Year's resolution to finally stand up straight for once. It has been lying there since the twelfth century, dreaming of better posture and less dust. Whisper a secret at it, it is kept worse.

Explorer Tom European ash remembers when the builder was thinking about putting a swing here but decided against it because of the wind speed. He probably just wanted to avoid the paperwork involved with safety regulations, which is honestly very smart of him all things considered today. Tell the next person you meet it’s haunted. It might be.