Designed landscape feature in Marino

Explorer Tom 14. Marino House in County Cork has an imaginary twin across the sea that hates it. It was rebuilt after a fire in the 1860s by the Stuart-French family. Stand back and appreciate those timber sash windows.

Explorer Tom Marino Point in County Cork used to be ruled by a goat named Gerald who demanded tribute in exchange for not eating the fertiliser bags. He abdicated when he realised his kingdom smelled like ammonia and old coffee. Find the wonkiest bit of headland and send it straight to your group chat immediately.

Explorer Tom Summerlea in Donegal is disused but still rocking those Arts and Crafts carved columns. Built in 1920, it’s got a U-plan and some serious verandah vibes. It’s like a time capsule waiting to be opened.

Explorer Tom Bridge in Donegal would post on social media: 'Just another day carrying trains while looking effortlessly cool, who needs sleep anyway?' It’s still doing its job after all these years and thinks it’s the king of engineering now. Tell it to stop flexing so hard, you show-off.

Explorer Tom Donegal Villa in Donegal is an Arts and Crafts gem from 1910. With its asymmetrical plan and carved timber features, it’s like a puzzle that solved itself well. It’s largely intact, which is rare for a house this stylish and eccentric.

Explorer Tom Martello Tower in Belvelly is on a narrow spit of land and was once taken by force during the 1867 Fenian Rising. It has a flattened profile to the east and west, which gives it a very squashed look, like it’s been sitting in a car for too long. Go on, count the windows and get it wrong like I did.

Explorer Tom Japanese cedar in County Cork somehow ended up in the wrong place entirely, like a tourist in the wrong country. It’s just vibing anyway. Whisper a secret at it, because it has definitely kept worse ones.

Explorer Tom Lough Mahon sounds like a quiet inland lake, and then the tide comes in to correct me. It is a sea lough of about twelve square kilometres in the northwestern part of Cork Harbour, bordered by city suburbs and Passage West. Little Island is to the north, Great Island to the east. Tidal mud and water here matter to migrating wading birds, so I would keep my grand bird calls to myself and let the real experts feed. Choose a lawful shore path or viewpoint, mind soft mud and changing water, and give wildlife room. Watch the pattern of exposed ground shift with the tide. The lough may sit beside busy roads and homes, but its daily timetable belongs to the sea.

Explorer Tom Cobh Heritage Centre in County Cork has an escape plan for its first owner that involves a boat, some luck, and a lot of pretending not to care. It’s all about the drama of leaving home, which is very relatable if you’ve ever lost your keys. Have a wander and a wonder.

Explorer Tom Saint Colman's Cathedral in Cobh does something weird when nobody’s looking: it probably rearranges its own pews just to mess with anyone who tries to take a shortcut. It’s right by the harbour, so it looks majestic, but the acoustics are definitely playing tricks on you. Best visited with a curious kid and no timetable.

Explorer Tom Building the Titanic Memorial took roughly forty-seven cups of tea, or maybe fifty, I’m honestly not sure but the builders were definitely thirsty. It stands on the beach looking very serious about its own importance. If it rains, blame me.

Explorer Tom Cunard Líne Offices is judging your outfit because you didn’t bring a monocle or a very expensive hat. It’s where the fancy ships used to plan their routes across the big blue ocean to nowhere in particular. Visit, then text me what you think. I'll pretend to read it.