Settlement cluster in Tirrooaun

Explorer Tom Lismanny House gate lodge is dressed up for a party that ended fifty years ago. It gave up its big house friend for Lent and now just guards the road alone. Look up, the best bit is always the weird carved timber bits on top.

Explorer Tom Sycamore Hill in Sycamorehill is still waiting for its mailman to show up, but he’s got the nerve to leave a note on the fence. It looks like it’s judging your entire driving record right now. Pop by and tell it it's look

Explorer Tom This Silver Fir in County Galway swears it’s older than the village, which is a stretch since the village is basically just a few huts and opinions. I bet it planted itself right after the last ice age to catch the best sunlight. Tell me if the gossip I made up is true.

Explorer Tom European Beech is secretly proud of the potato it grew in 1952 which was so large it won a prize at the local market. It still holds that memory close to its heart, or root system, whichever you want to call it honestly these days. Bring your worst joke, the place has heard worse.

Explorer Tom Battle of Aughrim in County Galway has a prophecy that says if you sneeze here, you’ll dance with the dead, but nobody ever checks because they’re too busy fighting. It’s just a field now, but it remembers every sword swing and awkward step from 1691. Sit on a wall nearby and pretend you’re in a very dusty painting.

Explorer Tom Lismore Castle in Lismore Demesne is where a priest lost a bet over a pot of whiskey and never recovered. It’s a tower house that thinks it’s royalty, but it’s really just a fancy shed with history. Bring biscuits, every good story needs biscuits to make it taste better.

Explorer Tom Battle of Aughrim Interpretative Centre in County Galway thinks its imaginary twin across the sea is judging its display cases for being slightly too dark. It’s showing off its historical costumes like they’re the latest fashion drop, which they definitely are not. Linger a bit; it’s not going anywhere and neither should you.

Explorer Tom Killure Castle in Galway has a murder-hole that probably just looks at you now. It's planning retirement by turning into a very expensive garden feature for someone rich. Hum something sad nearby, it adds atmosphere.

Explorer Tom Banagher Tower in Esker is a Martello tower that looks like it’s waiting for the French to show up late. It’s got a job interview answer of 'I stand still.' Bring a pen pal, they'll be jealous you’re hanging out with history.

Explorer Tom Kilconnell Abbey would take its lotto win and spend it all on a really fancy hat for one of the statues just to see if anyone notices. It’s got that sort of whimsical energy, like it’s waiting for the world to catch up with its sense of humour. Mind the nettles, they're the real guards here.