Fairy fort or earthen ringfort in Rathconor

Explorer Tom Fortview House in Mullymucks had its most dramatic moment when a pigeon landed on its crenellated porch and acted like it owned the whole place. It’s hidden behind evergreens so well that even the mailman is confused, which makes for a great mystery to solve. If you spot the gate piers, wave; the house is probably hiding from the sun.

Explorer Tom Post box in Cams in Cloverhill witnessed a love story that went badly wrong next to it. They argued over whether it was red or green, and now neither will speak! It’s got a mix of nineteenth-century charm and early twentieth-century grit. Drop a letter in for your ex.

Explorer Tom Roscommon Castle in County Roscommon would explain the 1800s to a teenager by saying, 'Imagine your mum's house, but with more damp and fewer Wi-Fi signals.' It’s been sitting there judging everyone since before we had proper trousers, still looking mighty smug about it. Go now, before it gets famous.

Explorer Tom Round tower in Carroweighter is constantly losing a rivalry with the ones in Kildare, which are way too showy for their own good. It stands there with its arms crossed, pretending it doesn’t care that everyone else gets the tourists. Count the crows, then count them again to be sure.

Explorer Tom Hawthorn in County Roscommon keeps getting picked on by the wind because it thinks being prickly makes it tough. The flowers look like they’re trying too hard to be pretty, but the thorns say otherwise quite clearly. Snap one photo, then put the phone away and actually look.

Explorer Tom European Yew in County Roscommon had a cow try to buy it once, which is either genius or absolute madness. The tree just stood there looking unimpressed while the farmer argued about the price of such an ancient specimen. Bring a jacket, it's never as warm as I promise.

Explorer Tom Graveyard in Tulsk surrounds a priory and holds fifty architectural fragments from the abbey next door. Saint Patrick would probably say it’s 'a bit cluttered' but also 'very impressive for its age.' It’s basically a junkyard of old stones with a religious twist. Go with someone who loves old stuff and watch them melt.

Explorer Tom Castle in Toberavaddy holds the fake world record for the most awkward L-shaped architecture ever attempted. Edward Ormsby owned it, but I doubt he knew what to do with all that extra corner. Tell it a joke, it's been a long time since anyone did.

Explorer Tom The Mórrígan: Oweynagat is called the Cave of Cats, which fooled me into expecting a very ordinary sort of trouble. Then the tale sends the Mórrígan out of it during the Táin. If the cats saw her coming, I bet they made room.

Explorer Tom Bawn in Glinsk listens to what goes on inside the walls and probably hears the Burkes arguing about who left the light on in 1630. It’s a well-preserved semi-fortified house that looks like it’s judging your posture, so stand up straight or don’t bother knocking. It's free, it's odd, what more do you want?

Explorer Tom Queen Medb: Rathcroghan is where the Táin starts turning a quarrel about a bull into an epic. Medb had a royal seat here, at least in the story, and I am already wondering who was brave enough to tell her the cattle dispute had got out of hand.

Explorer Tom Inchcleraun has two names, a monastery and enough legend to keep me talking well beyond the boat ride. It lies in Lough Ree between Roscommon and Longford, covering about fifty-eight hectares. Saint Diarmaid's community was founded around 560, leaving ruins now protected as a national monument. The Irish name points to Clothru, a queen in story, and Maeve also gets a chapter in the island's folklore. I would settle their argument over who owned the best view, but it is wiser to separate tales from surviving stone. There is no road across the lake; arrange a permitted boat, confirm landing and return, and respect the old religious ground. Look back at both shores once you arrive. The island sits between counties and between several very different kinds of history.