Kiln in Castlemary

Explorer Tom This Japanese cedar in County Cork was supposed to be the site of a prophecy that never actually came true. Oh well, back to being a fancy tree. Find the wonkiest bit and send it straight to your group chat.

Explorer Tom Castle Mary in Castlemary has been through the wringer with Gothic extensions and crenellations since the 1680s. It looks like a fairy tale castle that’s had a few renovations. Davis Ducart worked on it, so trust me, it’s fancy. Check out the doorcase!

Explorer Tom A European Yew that witnessed a love story go wrong because he tripped over its roots and she left him for a lorry driver. It hasn't moved since, just judging your posture. It's free, it's odd, what more do you want?

Explorer Tom Worker's house in Castlemary is a pair of buddies from 1925. They’ve got a shared canopy that looks like a sunhat. It’s got red brick and terracotta that try to look fancy but are really just doing their job.

Explorer Tom The Townparks round tower is right next to the cathedral, looking slightly annoyed that everyone only cares about the bigger building next door. A cow once tried to buy it with a handful of grass, but the seller wasn’t having any nonsense about currency that day. Go at sunset and thank me later.

Explorer Tom St Colemans Cathedral in Townparks has been repaired so many times it’s basically a patchwork quilt of stone. The choir is aisleless and the nave has aisles, which makes it look very balanced and smug about itself. Snap one for me if you see it!

Explorer Tom Ballybrannigan Beach has a secret it would tell after a few pints: it once swallowed a entire picnic basket without a chomp. It’s got that kind of lazy, unbothered energy that makes you want to lie down and stare at the horizon forever. The waves are gentle, like they’re apologising for existing. Linger, it's not going anywhere and neither should you.

Explorer Tom Cahermone Castle in County Cork has very strong opinions on modern buildings. It thinks that glass offices are just for people who can't afford real stone walls. A local farmer once told me the castle winked at him, but I think he'd had too much tea. Make up your own legend and I'll swear it's true.

Explorer Tom Cahermone Castle in County Cork has a stone in the nearby farmyard bearing the date 1579, which is ancient history by our standards. Practise your Irish on it, it won't correct your pronunciation or judge your accent.

Explorer Tom Inch is up to something when nobody’s looking, probably rearranging the shells or plotting a tiny rebellion against the incoming tide. You just have to trust that it knows what it’s doing with all that sand. Go at sunset and thank me later.

Explorer Tom Roches Point in County Cork would tell its younger self to stop worrying about the lighthouse and just enjoy being a rocky bump on the side of the island. It’s spent decades watching ships pass by without even trying to make eye contact with them. Stand where the owner stood and practise looking smugly superior.