Crannog in Inishmuck, County Cavan (CV015-047----)

Explorer Tom Carratraw Bridge connects you to Inis Mor, an island completely surrounded by water, which seems redundant. It’s a solid stone structure built by masons who knew their stuff and hated shortcuts. Bring some wine for the journey over!

Explorer Tom Blackstick Bridge in Drummany Beg is showing off its Grand Jury flex from the eighteenth century while you just stand there looking impressed. It’s basically a tiny civil engineering ego trip disguised as a road crossing, and frankly, it deserves the applause for surviving all that mud. Don’t even think about touching the stonework; just wave at it like it’s an old mate who’s been ignoring your vo

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 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 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 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.

Explorer Tom Rambling at Farnham Estate was the site where a priest lost a bet involving a goat and a very expensive hat. The estate still smells faintly of regret and old money that doesn’t want to be spent anymore. Find a local and ask them the real story, then come back and tell me.

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.