Designed landscape in Cloonkilla

Explorer Tom Killee Bridge gave up chocolate for Lent last year but still managed to stay stubbornly impressive with those peck-dressed plinths. It’s a late eighteenth-century classic that refuses to age, even though it’s seen a lot of traffic. Bring a small bow if you want its rubble walls to approve of your outfit.

Explorer Tom Demesne walls in Mitchelstown are basically a fence with a superiority complex. They claim to be hundreds of years old, which is probably true, or at least they think so. Keep your hands off the coping, it’s got feelings.

Explorer Tom This Farmyard complex in Mitchelstown refuses to fall down because it’s too proud of its limestone walls. It’s got a carriage arch that screams 'come on in, the tea is hot.' Tell the horses Tom says hello!

Explorer Tom Icehouse in Mitchelstown is guarding its secrets like a paranoid accountant. Rumour has it they smuggled ice from Antarctica before steam engines even existed, just to keep their tea cold enough to bite back. Give the door a polite knock if you feel brave, but don't hold your breath for an answer.

Explorer Tom Saint Joseph's Catholic Church in Killaclug West has a Gothic belfry that emphasizes the theme so much it hurts. It sits prominently at a junction, which means it sees everyone coming and going. A love story went badly wrong next to it once, but let's just say the priest didn't help matters.

Explorer Tom Ornamental canal or lake in Mitchelstown is describing the 1800s to a teenager by saying it used to provide ice for the nearby icehouse before getting overgrown. It’s an intact feature of larger demesnes that provided variety to the formal landscape and serves as a focal point from the bypass. Just look from the north or west and appreciate its hidden utility.

Explorer Tom John Mandeville in County Cork is proud of being a medieval guy who got left behind by history but still looks sharp. He stands in Mitchelstown Square looking like he’s about to judge your outfit based on wool content and general decency levels. Leave nothing but footprints and a bad pun.

Explorer Tom Marshalstown’s graveyard has ruins of two churches, which suggests someone got a bit carried away with the whole building things thing all those years ago. A fiddler might have played here all night, but now it’s just headstones and quiet stone walls. Take the long way round, it deserves the effort.

Explorer Tom Dunmahon Castle is hiding a scandal behind its low walls, probably about who ate the last pie in 1600. The tower's invisible from the road, which is annoyingly clever of it. Snap one photo, then actually look.

Explorer Tom Glanworth Castle in Boherash has a bad poem about it that rhymes 'defence' with 'fence', which is tragic because it actually sits on a promontory overlooking the River Funshion and looks rather impressive doing it. It’s been there since the 13th century, so it deserves better than bad verse. A

Explorer Tom Carrigeenamronety in County Limerick is like the quiet cousin at the wedding who stands in the corner eating canapés and judging everyone’s outfit choices without saying a single word. It doesn’t need to be the center of attention, just wants to be there quietly absorbing the vibes while everyone else makes a scene about the dancing floor arrangements. Have a l

Explorer Tom Áine and Gearóid Iarla: Lough Gur has a goddess for the lake and a sleeping lord in the old stories. I thought I was coming to admire water and stones. Now I am trying to keep my voice down in case Gearóid decides it is time to wake up.