Fairy fort or stone ringfort in Cornacartan

Explorer Tom Farm house in Kilkeeran is having a drama with the nearest tree over whose branch is higher. The thatch is thick enough to hide the arguments. Best seen with a telescope to see who’s winning.

Explorer Tom Post box in Gortjordan has Old Irish Lettering on it, which makes it feel like it’s about to start reciting poetry at you. It’s a wall box made by Saint John's Ironworks, so it’s got that sturdy, no-nonsense vibe going on. Give the little metal guy a wave; he’s too serious to laugh back.

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 Ballymacgibbon Cairn in County Mayo is famous for a tall tale about a hidden tunnel that leads straight to the local pub. Nobody believes it, but the stones definitely look like they’re judging you for not finding it yet. Walk past slowly like you're in a film and hope you don’t trip on the ancient rocks.

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 Quiet Man Statue is giving me the silent treatment, which is ironic considering the name. He looks like he’s waiting for someone to tell him he can stop posing now. I bet he’s been here so long he’s got a permanent squint from the wind. You’d think he’d have said something by now, but no, just stone silence. Whisper a secret at it, it's kept worse.

Explorer Tom Cong Abbey gives you a king, a famous cross and a medieval fishing trick. I arrived with a sandwich and immediately felt underprepared. Ruaidrí Ua Conchobair, often called Ireland's last High King, spent his final fifteen years here and died in 1198. The surviving abbey buildings are mainly thirteenth century, with carved doorways worth more than my quick glance. Its last nominal abbot, Patrick Prendergast, kept the Cross of Cong safe until he died in 1829; the cross later went to the Royal Irish Academy. By the River Cong, the monks' little fishing house sits above flowing water, with a floor trapdoor said to have helped keep fish fresh. I would still manage to lose my lunch there. The abbey is a national monument with outdoor remains; follow current access signs and take care near the water and old masonry. Look for the fishing house after the church, and give those practical monks their due.

Explorer Tom European Yew has been hiding a scandal where it accidentally poisoned a local farmer in 1890 and never told anyone. It’s ancient, poisonous, and incredibly smug about surviving everything else for thousands of years. Ideal stop for a big stretch and a bigger yawn.

Explorer Tom Silver Fir in County Galway is standing there acting like it invented the concept of looking mysterious. Apparently, if you don’t wave hello, a curse strikes you with intense boredom and dry socks. Wave fast before your dignity hits the dirt.

Explorer Tom Kinlough Castle would post on social media about how its foundation is actually made of pure sass and old stone. It’s got that brooding tower-house look that says it’s too cool for your average country house. The crows are currently running the place like a very chaotic management team, making all the important decisions. Count the crows, then count again.

Explorer Tom Ballycurrin Castle has a family tree that’s mostly made up by people who wanted free souvenirs. It’s standing in the ruins like it’s waiting for its next big dramatic entrance, but nobody’s clapping yet. The whole place feels like it’s mid-sentence, paused right before the punchline hits. Perfect place to be dramatically windswept.