Fairy fort or earthen ringfort in Castlelough

Explorer Tom Landsdown House in Landsdown, County Tipperary has a giant legend attached to it that’s complete nonsense. They say a troll slept under the slate and woke up hungry for Venetian windows. I’m not buying it, but I’m keeping my distance just in case he sneezes.

Explorer Tom The Castletown Rectory wandered in from the wrong parish by accident, I reckon. The round-headed door looks like it’s winking at you right now. See if the vicar is still hiding behind that modest façade.

Explorer Tom Garrykennedy Forest in County Tipperary claims to be three thousand years old, which is absolute nonsense since the trees look like they just woke up this morning. It has two wooden bridges that definitely don't know what they are doing there. Bring a map, get lost anyway, that's the fun.

Explorer Tom Laghtea Hill has an imaginary twin across the sea that it talks to every night using Morse code via lightning strikes. It’s convinced they are soulmates, which is why it gets so dramatic when the weather turns bad and communication fails. Stop the car, it's worth the hazard lights.

Explorer Tom Garrykennedy Castle is just a corner now, standing by the harbour looking like it lost an argument with a ship. Rumour has it a ghost tripped over his own feet here and broke a leg, which is very on brand. Tell your mates you found it first before they get the credit.

Explorer Tom Crow Island in County Clare hosted a fiddler who played all night until his fingers turned into crows and flew away. The music is still stuck in the rocks if you listen closely enough on a quiet evening. Ideal stop for a big stretch and a bigger yawn.

Explorer Tom Graves of the Leinstermen are being guarded by a very serious terrier who thinks he is the actual king of Tipperary right now. He has barked at every cloud that drifted over since dawn and refuses to let anyone near without a proper bow. Great spot to propose. Or at least to propose lunch.

Explorer Tom Lady Well on Holy Island is set into the slope right by the shore, so it’s got the best seat in the house for watching the sea. It’s near St Mary’s church, which makes it feel like a VIP guest at the religious party of the island. Pretend you’re a lost aristocrat, because nobody will check your ID.

Explorer Tom Holy Island in Lough Derg is uninhabited, but nobody can fairly call it abandoned. Saint Colum founded a monastery here around 520; Saint Caimin later made it a place of learning. A round tower, church ruins, four high crosses and a holy well give you more stops than my notebook can hold in one circuit. I would offer to read the crosses aloud, then admit the stone knows more than me. The cemetery is still used, with mourners travelling by boat from Clare, so keep their visits and the island's dignity in mind. Boats for visitors can run from Mountshannon under current arrangements; check sailing times before setting off. Stay on paths and let the old buildings keep their stones. Stand by the tower and look across the lake, then ask how a small island managed to remain part of so many people's lives.

Explorer Tom Pedunculate Oak in County Clare would get 'Died of Boredom' on its tombstone because it’s been standing in the same spot for three hundred years without moving an inch. It’s seen everything and still hasn’t said a single word about any of it. Walk past slowly like you're in a film.

Explorer Tom Castle Baun is basically a rabbit palace now, which I suppose fits since rabbits are great at digging tunnels and disappearing without a trace. The MacMahon clan built it to be tough, but the local wildlife seem to have taken over the living quarters entirely. Go now, before it gets famous for its burrowing tenants.

Explorer Tom Rinnaman Point is the person at the wedding who stands in the corner judging everyone's outfit while pretending they are too busy looking at the sea. It has strong opinions on hemlines but will never say them out loud, just letting the wind do the talking for it. Go back in winter, it's a different animal.