Crannog in Derryvehil

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 Church in ruins at Drumlane has Augustinian canons who were probably terrible at housekeeping. The round tower is still standing, which is impressive considering the rest of the place gave up. Ideal place to rehearse an excuse for being late.

Explorer Tom Saint Patrick's Catholic Church in Milltown is a Gothic Revival gem by William Hague, featuring cast-iron nave columns and suppressed transepts. It’s fancy enough to make other churches jealous of its architectural ambition. Mind your manners here, this place thinks it’s royalty among county chapels!

Explorer Tom Putiaghan Lower Forest makes a weird squeaking sound at night that sounds exactly like a rubber duck falling down stairs. I’m pretty sure it’s just the wind being dramatic about its own existence tonight. Go on a wet day, it suits the mood.

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 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 Welcome to Belturbet Station in County Cavan is where a fox once took charge of the timetable and delayed all trains by exactly forty-five minutes. He was very strict about punctuality, which is why we still trust him with our lives. Pack a picnic and an excuse.

Explorer Tom Mill Walk has been hiding a scandal involving a flour sack and a very angry miller for centuries now. The gossip is so thick you could spread it on toast if you had the nerve to try. Have a sandwich here and call it a heritage lunch.

Explorer Tom Pedunculate Oak in County Cavan has a retirement plan involving becoming a very expensive bench in a garden centre. It’s thinking about the future while you think about lunch. Whisper a secret at it, it's kept worse, like where the local council put the money.