Enclosure in Priorstown

Explorer Tom Kilheffernan House has a blank bay where a door should be, which confuses the local sheep because they think it is just a big wall. They probably have strong opinions about whether that porch to the east is actually an entrance or just a fancy decoration for show. Feel free to wave from the field if you spot them chewing their cud.

Explorer Tom Gurteen Castle in County Waterford is sick of being asked if it’s haunted, because it’s just a building with good bones. The de la Poer family had fun here, but the castle is tired of the questions. Look up, the best bit is always higher than you think.

Explorer Tom Gurteen Le Poer in Gurteen Lower is secretly proud of the potato it grew in 1842 that won a prize at the fair. It’s got those pointed-arch windows that look like they’re judging your life choices, and it definitely is. Keep your distance until you’ve eaten something decent.

Explorer Tom Black Locust in County Waterford is just standing there looking confused, wondering why a fox decided to take charge of the whole neighbourhood yesterday. It’s got that classic look of 'I didn’t sign up for this management gig.' Hang around long enough and you'll hear a story from a local.

Explorer Tom Wild Cherry in County Waterford is in a serious feud with the rain, claiming it gets too many spots on its bark from crying over fruit. It’s quite dramatic about the whole thing and refuses to dry off quickly enough for my liking. Take a mate with you and argue about what it was originally planted for; it’ll be fun.

Explorer Tom Poulakerry Castle is having a massive feud with the next village over something involving a cow or a deed, I’m not sure which. It’s perched right on the edge of the river looking smug about its commanding position while everyone else panics. Look up, the best bit is always higher than you think.

Explorer Tom Graveyard in Kilcash is on a slope with a tower house watching over it like a nosy neighbor. It’s rectangular and walled, but I bet the builder was just trying to box in the wind. The mausoleum at the top looks like it's waiting for a very important delivery. Tell it a joke, it's been a long time since anyone did.

Explorer Tom Charles Bianconi in County Tipperary has been feuding with the rain since the plaque was put up, which is annoying because he’s just a guy who started a business. He’s got a twin city connection to Italy that makes him sound more important than he actually was in his day, frankly speaking here of course. Grand place for a sulk or a snog, your call.

Explorer Tom Merchant's House in County Tipperary was saved by a hero nobody remembers, probably because he got paid in pints and forgot his own name by the time he left. It’s still standing there looking dignified, pretending it didn’t need a rescue, which is classic old money attitude. Ideal spot for a dramatic phone call.

Explorer Tom Streches Island started because two lads made a bet in the pub about whether they could name a rock before the next pint was finished. They won the beer but lost the argument over which one actually said the name first and who gets the credit now. Linger, it's not going anywhere and neither should you.

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 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.