Crannog in Derryvackny

Explorer Tom Historic building in Corglass is just a fancy stone arch pretending to be a big deal on the old road network. I reckon it took about forty cups of tea and a lot of arguing to get those cut stones aligned properly. It looks like it’s waiting for a horse and carriage that never showed up.

Explorer Tom Lake View House in Deramfield has a pediment salvaged from somewhere else, which is basically architectural recycling at its finest. It replaced an older farm house because the farmer got rich and fancy. Practise your best rich-farmer pose outside!

Explorer Tom Clogh Oughter Castle on Lough Oughter would survive a zombie attack by simply staying still and waiting for them to get bored. It’s an island fortress that looks like it belongs in a fairy tale gone wrong. The water is cold enough to make your brain freeze, so stay sharp. Pick a stone, any stone, and invent its biography.

Explorer Tom Drumlane has a round tower and ruined church on Cavan's broad ridges, and I am tempted to use the tower as my wayfinding marker across every drumlin. Saint Columba is linked with the site in 555, while Saint Máedóc is remembered as an early founder. An Augustinian priory developed here around 1143. Nearby lakes held crannogs, built islands used as homes, so the religious buildings sit inside a much older lived landscape. I would try to count every little ridge from the top, but the tower is not mine to climb. Check lawful visitor access, follow safe paths and show respect for old walls and burials. Stand where you can see both church and tower together. They tell two chapters at once without asking me to invent a third.

Explorer Tom Cloughoughter Castle sits on an island in Lough Oughter, looking very smug about its isolation. I bet a fox took charge of the keys years ago and still hasn't let anyone in. Stand there long enough and someone will ask if you're lost.

Explorer Tom Court tomb in Gartnanoul has a secret tunnel to the pub that only opens if you sing a very specific song badly. Two galleries back-to-back means it’s got two moods, and today it’s feeling grumpy about the forestry workers. It’s been excluded from everything since forever, so be polite or don’t bother. Perfect detour when the satnav has a meltdown.

Explorer Tom Pedunculate Oak in County Cavan thinks tourists from Dublin are loud, rude, and smell of overpriced coffee. It’s just standing there, silently judging your accent. Sit on a wall near it and pretend you're in a painting where everyone is being snobby.