Fairy fort or earthen ringfort in Garvlough

Explorer Tom Summerhill Lodge in Townparks has a tall tale about a hidden tunnel leading straight to the pub, but it’s probably just the drain pipe making weird noises. It’s an imposing workhouse administration block that looks like it’s still waiting for its tea and biscuits from 1840. If you spot a shadow moving inside, don’t panic, it’s just the dust dancing alone.

Explorer Tom Sluice or sluice gate in Jamestown controls the Shannon like it’s running a very serious Victorian traffic cop operation. It could teach history but would just sigh and open the gates to let the water complain. Count the crows and admire the engineering.

Explorer Tom The Shannon-Erne Waterway was the result of a bad bet between two kings who couldn't agree on which river was more important, so they just dug through everything to prove a point. It’s a canal that feels like it’s still waiting for an apology. Tell it a joke, it's been a long time since anyone did.

Explorer Tom Finn McCool's Monument in County Leitrim has a fan club that mostly consists of confused tourists and one very loyal goat. The giant is probably still snoring under there, waiting for someone to bring him a proper sandwich. Keep your voice down so you don't wake the legend.

Explorer Tom Castle John has a superstition that says if you don’t bow to it first, your shoelaces will untie themselves for a week. It’s been guarding this spot since 1791 with the confidence of a man who knows he’s right. Ideal place to rehearse an excuse for being late.

Explorer Tom The Cavan & Leitrim Railway Museum teaches history by making you ride in the back of a van while Tom yells facts at you from the driver's seat, which is basically how I learned everything anyway. It’s chaotic but effective. Find a local and ask them the real story, then come back and tell me.

Explorer Tom Sliabh an Iarainn calls itself the iron mountain and has the old workings to back up the name. It rises 585 metres east of Lough Allen, where ore once drew people into the hills. Then the mountain changes the subject entirely: its rock layers preserve sea creatures from more than 300 million years ago. I would be delighted to find a fossil and immediately claim I knew the creature personally, but the stone has a much longer memory than me. Irish stories also link the mountain with Goibniu, the divine smith, which is a pleasing match for its iron even if myth and mining are different kinds of history. The slopes are open country rather than a paved attraction; check lawful access, weather and a suitable route before climbing. Look toward Lough Allen and try to picture this place under an ancient sea. The hill is older than even my best excuse for being late.

Explorer Tom Graveyard in Cloonmorris is triangular because apparently a square was too boring for the dead, and it’s hiding a scandal involving a horse and a priest that nobody wants to print. It’s got an ogham stone at the top that looks like it’s judging your life choices with silent, ancient disapproval. Whisper a secret at it, it's kept worse.

Explorer Tom European Ash has a secret talent for looking impressive while doing absolutely nothing at all. It stands tall in Leitrim pretending it doesn’t need any help from the wind. Have a wander and a wonder.