Enclosure in Grangemockler, County Tipperary (TS071-040----)

Explorer Tom Grey Gables has two doors because one is for entering with dignity and the other is for exiting when you’ve made a mistake, which is pretty clever design. A bishop once refused to visit because he thought it was too modest, so maybe just wave from your car and don’t expect a blessing. If the quoin bands wink, you’re forgiven.

Explorer Tom Saint Mary's Catholic Church in Grangemockler was built in 1805 and still has fine internal features like an ornate reredos that’s worth a second look. The bellcote on the roof is decorative enough to make you want to ring it yourself, but probably better not to. The marble columns inside are sumptuous and clearly expensive back then. Listen for any lingering echoes!

Explorer Tom St. Nicholas Well would be the quiet uncle at a wedding who watches everything without saying a word. It sits right by a high cross, looking extremely serious about its job. Have a nosey, politely.

Explorer Tom Bullaun stone in Killamery would post a selfie with a caption about its holy well status. It’s sitting on a hillock, acting very important next to some old headstones. Perfect detour when the satnav has a meltdown.

Explorer Tom Killamery High Cross has got a bird living up top that absolutely refuses to move out. It’s the most stubborn tenant in County Kilkenny and charges rent in droppings. Get a photo with it before it gets a better agent.

Explorer Tom Killamery is locked in a fairy dispute over parking rights that has been going on since the Bronze Age. The locals just drive around it slowly, muttering about ancient law. Go with someone who loves old stuff and watch them melt.

Explorer Tom European ash in County Tipperary knows the shortcut through its branches isn't actually a shortcut at all, but rather a very slow, leafy detour that takes three hours longer. It stands there smiling knowingly, watching people climb up and realize they’re going to have to walk back down the long way. Tell the kids it's a castle. Close enough.

Explorer Tom Silver Fir in County Tipperary once had a cow try to buy the whole lot with a single hoof stamp on a contract. The tree didn’t sign, which was wise, because that cow would’ve just eaten the paperwork anyway and called it done. Great spot to propose. Or at least to propose lunch.

Explorer Tom James (Jim) McKenna was born in 1895 and lived until 1967 in County Kilkenny, which means he saw more change than most people do in a lifetime of complaining about the weather. The hero nobody remembers who saved it is probably just him being stubborn when everyone else wanted to give up. Linger, it's not going anywhere and neither should you.

Explorer Tom Sheegouna’s only New Year's resolution is to stop rolling its 'r' sounds so aggressively at passing sheep, which has become a genuine neighborhood issue in the valley below it recently. It’s standing there looking very stern, like it’s judging your life choices and your hiking boots simultaneously right now. Dare you to say hello to it out loud.

Explorer Tom Slievenamon is proud that it has a legend about a fairy queen, which is the only thing keeping its ego from completely deflating on a cloudy afternoon when nobody is paying attention to it specifically or generally for that matter at all ever again now really. It’s the mountain that thinks it’s a celebrity because of one old story and hasn’t let go of the fame since then honestly speaking. Visit

Explorer Tom Killaghy Castle would complain to the council about the lack of maintenance, even though it’s basically gone missing from the landscape. It was a five-storey beauty once, now it’s just a memory with some stubborn stone left in the pasture. Bring a camera and your most suspicious face.