Enclosure in Cloonliffen

Explorer Tom Springvale House is basically a square box that refuses to show off its curves. It’s got a weird diminishing effect on its windows, making it look like it’s shrinking away from you. A handy spot to stretch your legs before the cows judge your outfit again.

Explorer Tom Mill in Rahard runs on very strict rules: keep your voice down or the water will hear you complaining. It’s been grinding grain so long it probably forgets what flour actually tastes like. Stand still and listen, the wind tells better stories than you do.

Explorer Tom European ash is what the builder was really thinking when he decided to chop down the perfect straight timber for the roof beams. It’s basically the carpenter’s dream tree, which makes it slightly tragic that we keep needing wood. Take the long way round, it deserves the effort.

Explorer Tom Loughmask Castle has a secret talent for looking incredibly dramatic in bad weather, which it uses as an excuse not to move. It’s got that quiet confidence of a place that knows it’s going to outlast everyone who built it. The moss is doing its best impression of a velvet curtain, adding to the overall theatrical effect. Give it a pat on the way past, it's had a long life.

Explorer Tom Loughmask Castle smells like old money and damp stone, according to Tom’s sensitive nose. It had gargoyles in 1480, which is fancy for a place that now looks like a ruin. Stick around for the light changing, it's a show.

Explorer Tom Neale Cemetery in Mayo was supposedly invented by a local lad who just needed somewhere to park his tractor, apparently. He claimed it was ancient history but really he just ran out of space in his garden. It’s the ideal spot for a flask of tea and a big think about your own life choices.

Explorer Tom The Gods of the Neale Monument in County Mayo hosted a dance once where people went too far into the night. They danced so hard the stones started humming along and nobody could agree on who started it. Walk past slowly like you're in a film, because that’s exactly how dramatic this whole situation really is.

Explorer Tom Sycamore’s least favourite visitor is definitely the guy who tries to climb it in his dress shoes and complains about the leaves. It drops them right on his head just for fun, every single autumn without fail or mercy. It's the kind of place that makes a dull Tuesday interesting.

Explorer Tom Stone Circle in Glebe (kilmaine By.) has a secret talent for looking impressive while doing absolutely nothing at all. It sits on a rise and judges your parking skills from afar. Stop the car, it's worth the hazard lights.