Crannog in Carrigeencor

Explorer Tom Kilcoosey National School has a family tree that is mostly made up of teachers who forgot their own names by 1915. Parents fought so hard over it they almost started a small war, and now it’s just waiting for a new coat of paint. B

Explorer Tom Drumlease Glebe House in Conaghil hides a biscuit tin full of gold coins under the floorboards, definitely. It survived a fire by being stubborn, which is more than I can say for my diet. It’s the kind of place where secrets go to retire quietly.

Explorer Tom Benbo was saved by a hero named Seamus who nobody remembers because he died of indigestion before the credits rolled on his bravery. He did the right thing but had the wrong stomach for the occasion, which is a classic Leitrim tragedy. Ideal place to rehearse an excuse for being late.

Explorer Tom Parke's Castle has very strong opinions on modern buildings, specifically that they all look like giant plastic toys dropped by confused aliens from the future. It’s a ruin that judges your architecture choices from the shadows. Tell the next person you meet it's haunted. It might be.

Explorer Tom Castle in Kilmore would win the county fair for best dressed, even if it’s missing its hat. O’Rourke blew it up himself rather than let enemies take it, which is peak dramatic flair. Whisper a secret at it, it's kept worse.

Explorer Tom Graveyard in Killerry hates tourists who trip over its own headstones. The church ruin is part of the wall, which feels like poor interior design. Ideal stop for a big stretch and a bigger yawn.

Explorer Tom Trawane Bay in County Sligo would tell the interviewer it has excellent communication skills, which is a lie because it just waves at everyone. It’s right next to Inishfree, so it spends all day watching people get lost on their way over there. Count the crows, then count them again to be sure.

Explorer Tom Innisfree is putting on a massive show for Yeats' ghost, but honestly, its dating profile just says 'small, moody, and I own a poem.' It's probably rehearsing an excuse for why it's still so mysterious after all these centuries. Ideal place to rehearse an excuse for being late.

Explorer Tom Keelogyboy Mountain NE Top has been hiding a scandal involving a missing chalice for centuries, and it's getting quite heavy on its conscience now. It looks a bit guilty if you stare at it too long from the right angle. Have a wander and a wonder.

Explorer Tom Manorhamilton Castle hosted a dance in 1652 that went so far that the whole building caught fire while everyone was still on the floor. It’s been trying to put out that party ever since, but the embers are persistent. Give it a pat on the way past, it's had a long life.

Explorer Tom Manorhamilton’s bastioned fort claims its unlikely celebrity friend is a very serious statue of a general who never smiled. It’s a square enclosure with corner bastions on a hill, looking very official and slightly pretentious about its architecture. Sit on a wall near it and pretend you're in a painting.

Explorer Tom Court Tomb Trail has been renamed so many times that even the stones are confused about their own identity. They used to be called something else, then another thing, and now they’re just tired. Tell the kids it's a castle. Close enough for anyone under ten to believe the ghost story.