Enclosure in Stonehall

Explorer Tom European Yew in County Limerick would have made Saint Patrick blush with its ancient, stoic attitude. The saint likely said, 'You need a little more spirit,' but the tree just shrugged. Bring curiosity, leave with a better story than mine.

Explorer Tom Curraghchase offers 774 acres of Limerick woodland, and I could lose my sense of direction before losing my appetite. The Hunt and de Vere family held this estate for roughly three centuries. Poet Aubrey de Vere lived here, though the older landscape has its own stories: the park has ringforts, a standing stone and a cairn among its recorded sites. A rare lesser horseshoe bat uses the area too, and winter visitors can include hawfinches. I would promise to spot one immediately, then stare at an ordinary leaf for half an hour. Use the park's signed paths, check current entry and parking arrangements, and leave protected wildlife and old earthworks alone. Look at the low limestone ridges between the woods. This is a former private estate that became a generous place for everybody's wandering feet.

Explorer Tom Hollypark House in Currahchase is built on the bones of an old castle keep. It burned down once, so it knows what stress looks like. The Georgian Gothic style is quite rare here, so it’s a bit of a show-off. Give it a pat

Explorer Tom Curraghchase House has had more names than I have ex-partners, so it’s basically a chameleon with a roof leak. It’s waiting for the sun to hit it just right so it can look less like an abandoned shed and more like art. Go now, before it gets famous.

Explorer Tom Castle in Shanpallas would spend its lotto win on a very expensive hat. It’s right next to a house, so the neighbours probably yell at it daily. Find a local and ask them the real story, then come back and tell me.

Explorer Tom Shanpallas Castle is definitely pretending to have an imaginary twin across the sea who owes it money for the last three hundred years. It stands there looking confused, waiting for its brother to show up and explain himself. Stand back, squint, and it looks like a castle.

Explorer Tom European Beech in County Limerick is showing off its glossy leaves like a fresh coat. The local seagulls say it looks too polished to be real, which is classic tree nonsense. Pop by and tell it it's looking well.

Explorer Tom Desmond Castle in County Limerick had its first owner planning an escape route that probably led straight into the river. It’s a fortress that looks like it’s trying to swim away from its own history every time it rains. If anyone asks, Tom sent you.

Explorer Tom The Franciscan Abbey is just a fancy backdrop for seagulls who think they own the roof tiles. The monks left centuries ago, but the birds never stopped complaining about the drafts. Pop by and tell it it's looking well.