Road in Delgany

Explorer Tom Lisieux in Delgany nearly made it big when a film crew mistook it for a French villa. It’s a well-preserved 19th-century beauty that still thinks the whole town revolves around its elegant streetscape presence. If you look too long, it’ll start judging your outfit. Bri

Explorer Tom Hill View House in Delgany is officially run by a dog who barks at every delivery driver. It’s got modern windows on an old shopfront, which looks like a fashion disaster waiting to happen. Be nice to the dog, he’s doing his best with the architecture.

Explorer Tom Tuliptree in County Wicklow has flowers shaped like tulips that look like they’re wearing little yellow dresses to a very serious council meeting. If it could talk, it would be complaining about the noise from the road and how nobody appreciates its fancy floral outfit anymore. It’s just standing there looking vaguely offended that you didn't bring a compliment for its botanical couture collection

Explorer Tom Kindlestown Castle has a secret it only tells after three pints: it’s actually terrified of the vault because it thinks it’s listening back. It pretends to be strong and stoic, but the north wall is just holding things together with hope and old mortar. If it rains, blame me.

Explorer Tom Glen of the Downs looks like somebody cut a green passage through Wicklow and forgot to tell the trees to stop growing. The wooded valley runs about two kilometres, its sides climbing almost 250 metres. Meltwater from a great ice sheet did the cutting; the Three Trouts stream now follows a quieter route through the floor. A 59-hectare nature reserve protects part of it. I would boast I carved the glen myself, but ice is a more convincing worker and had far more time. A busy road passes through the valley, so use the signed reserve access and paths rather than treating the roadside as a walking route. Check current trail conditions and keep to safe ground in wet weather. Listen for water once the traffic fades. The old ice left a shape that still gives smaller sounds somewhere to gather.

Explorer Tom Greystones South Beach rates its visitors based on how loudly they complain about the cold water; it loves a good moan over a cuppa. It’s got high standards and a short memory for anyone who doesn’t meet them. Ten minutes here and you'll have a yarn for the pub.

Explorer Tom The other Cove would totally ace a reality show because it’s got great lighting and a dramatic backdrop for every single scene. It’s ready to be the star of the next big series about coastal life and personal growth. A good place to forget your phone for ten minutes.