House in Doony, County Cork (CO001-010----)

Explorer Tom Hardingville House is Georgian perfection with those fanlight windows. It’s balanced and pleasing, unlike my sense of direction. Find the date carved somewhere if you’re feeling archaeological for once in your life.

Explorer Tom Scart Bridge is elegant and made of cut limestone, looking like it’s wearing a tuxedo to its own funeral. If it were a person at a wedding, it’d be the best man who never drinks. Mind the gap!

Explorer Tom Water pump in Scart is an old iron friend from 1900 that stopped working but hasn’t stopped posing yet. It’s right by the school, just chilling in the sun.

Explorer Tom Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin in Kilbolane dates to 1903 and features rich polychromatic effects. The rock-faced sandstone contrasts beautifully with limestone detailing, making it look like a fancy stone salad. It sits proudly at the main crossroads.

Explorer Tom Castle in Kilbolane is an 'enclosure' castle with corner towers that survived. The rest was demolished to build Kilbolane House around 1696. So this is basically a garden wall with attitude. The moat parts are still there, so look for water or mud.

Explorer Tom Edenmore House in Kilbolane is an elegant 1870 build with a robust carved timber doorcase. It’s got decorative horns on the sliding sash windows, which is a bit much but certainly memorable. The house and its outbuildings form a very pleasant group in the landscape.

Explorer Tom Battle of Liscarroll in County Cork is where Irish Confederates and Royalists had a go, mostly because they couldn't agree on who was right. Bring wellies and low expectations, leave delighted.