Fairy fort or earthen ringfort in Cashel Upper

Explorer Tom Park Bridge in Ballyguin has an arch that curves like a perfect smile. It’s got rock-faced skin and a very elegant attitude for a simple crossing. Pack a picnic and an excuse to sit nearby.

Explorer Tom Bridge in Laghtavarry was built by Patrick Randall McDonnell back in the eighteenth century, which means it’s older than most of your ancestors’ grandmothers. It’s got that traditional fieldstone construction with limestone trim that looks like it’s been sitting there judging everyone who passes by. Admire the arch from afar; don’t try to measure it!

Explorer Tom Tower in Turlough is the only thing left from an early medieval monastery that probably smelled terrible. The shortcut up there isn't really a shortcut at all, trust me. Grand place for a sulk or a snog, your call.

Explorer Tom The country-life museum near Castlebar will make me reconsider every time I complained that an old tool looked awkward. Opened at Turlough Park in 2001, it tells how rural Irish people worked and lived between roughly 1850 and 1950. Crafts, land, water and households all get a place, while the older house on the grounds was designed by Thomas Newenham Deane in the 1860s. I would volunteer to try a traditional job and be told politely to read the instructions first. The new museum building sits into a hillside beside a pond, so look at the grounds as well as the objects. Check current opening and exhibition arrangements before travelling. Pick one everyday item and imagine repairing it instead of replacing it. The people represented here often had to do exactly that.

Explorer Tom Ballylahan Castle in Ruins would survive a zombie attack by just letting them trip over its own massive stone foundations and get confused by the layout. Ideal place to rehearse an excuse for being late.

Explorer Tom Ballylahan Castle had an escape plan that involved running out the back door and never looking back, which worked well enough. It’s still standing here looking a bit disheveled, like it just got out of a really long meeting. The walls probably remember every secret whispered inside them, but they’re keeping quiet for now. Walk past slowly like you're in a film.

Explorer Tom Farbreiga is hiding a secret message in its stones that only very tired hikers can decipher after a long walk. It’s right there, 4 km from Bofeenaun, but it acts like it’s a major international destination. Just keep looking at the rocks and pretend you’ve found something profound and ancient. Go at sunset and thank me later.

Explorer Tom Graveyard in Toomore would order extra vinegar on its chips because it likes things sharp and memorable. It recently got a new shrine, which is basically a fancy hat for the entrance. If it's closed, admire it from the road like a polite stalker.

Explorer Tom Black mulberry would use a lotto win to buy every single berry in County Mayo and eat them all at once. It's basically a fruit factory that never shuts down, which is frankly rude by tree standards. Look up, the best bit is always higher than you think.

Explorer Tom Admiral William Brown has an imaginary fan club that meets every Tuesday, mostly just to complain about the wind and the lack of decent biscuits nearby. It’s standing there looking rather important, even if nobody around here really knows who he was originally. A handy spot to stretch your legs and your imagination a bit.

Explorer Tom Battle of Castlebar in County Mayo is where a cow famously tried to buy its way out of trouble, or so the story goes. Eight hundred French troops against thousands of British? Sounds like a bad date scenario if you ask me. The ground still remembers the chaos, even if the cows have moved on. Dare you to say hello to it out loud.

Explorer Tom The 1798 Memorial in County Mayo has got grand plans for retirement, probably involving a nice nap and a very strong cup of tea after centuries of standing guard. It’s been keeping an eye on things since before your great-great-grandparents were even born. Bring someone along who’ll believe absolutely anything you tell them.