Enclosure in Seehanes, County Cork (CO119-021----)

Explorer Tom Castle Donovan did not always answer to that name. The O'Donovans knew their sixteenth-century tower as Sowagh, a much shorter word to shout across the valley near Drimoleague. About eighteen metres high, it sits on a rock outcrop beside the River Ilen, letting the natural stone do some of the defensive work. The family later drew more attention toward its coastal interests, leaving this inland stronghold to time. I would claim to have found a secret way in, but a closed ruin is no place to test my stories. The tower is an old structure with land around it; check current lawful access and view from safe ground without entering unstable masonry. Look at the rock before the walls. The builders chose their foundation with more sense than I choose a shortcut.

Explorer Tom Castle Donovan in Castledonovan, County Cork is showing off its full height, despite losing a corner like it was nothing. Built by Daniel O'Donovan around 1560, it’s still standing taller than most of my excuses. Wave to the river if you can!

Explorer Tom Rockmount House heard a priest lose a bet about who could balance a spoon on those keystones and never let him forget it. It’s all very formal with its hipped roof, but there’s a cheeky grin hidden in the quoins. Wave to the chimney stacks!

Explorer Tom All Saints Roman Catholic Church in Dromdaleague was built in 1954, before Vatican II, so it’s got traditional design with contemporary materials. It’s got a two-stage bell tower and a bow-fronted porch that look very serious about worship. The extensions to the west are recent, so be careful not to trip over them.

Explorer Tom Nowen Hill sw Top is having a bit of a tantrum about its name sounding like a sneeze. It claims to be teaching history via its own stubbornness, which is a brilliant curriculum if you ask me. Bring wellies and low expectations, leave delighted.

Explorer Tom Nowen Hill really hates that one guy in the red hat who keeps shouting at the sheep from the farm below, so it fogs up specifically for him to annoy him. It’s a small hill with big feelings, honestly. Bring a camera and your most suspicious face.

Explorer Tom Caheragh Burial Ground’s New Year's resolution is to stop being unkempt, but it has no willpower and keeps getting overgrown again. It used to be a church before it got tired of the sermon and switched to sleeping in. A proper spot for a flask of tea and a big think.

Explorer Tom Kealkill stone circle in County Cork once had a cow try to buy the whole thing with a single shiny coin, and honestly, that was probably a better deal than some of the tourists get. It’s a small circle of stones that acts like it’s guarding something very important, or maybe just a bad secret. Grand place for a sulk or a snog, your call.

Explorer Tom Gallauns holds a fake world record for being the most boring circle of rocks. It claims five stones is plenty because it’s too lazy to add more. Go before the tourists find out it's just a stone heap in disguise.

Explorer Tom Chilean myrtle is here in Cork, which is like finding a parrot in a snowstorm; it’s brave but also freezing. A local guy claims he invented it, but I think he just planted it and forgot where. Take a breath of that air; it’s older than your car and smells like regret.

Explorer Tom Dawn Redwood in Cork is keeping secrets that would make your mother-in-law blush. It says it only tells them after three pints of rainwater. Mind the nettles, they're the real security detail here and they sting.

Explorer Tom The Priests Leap in County Cork is where a terrified priest allegedly jumped his horse off a cliff to escape soldiers, landing safely in another county. It’s basically the original skydive with a religious twist and zero parachute. Look serious, nod slowly, you're basically an expert now.