Inishcullin Point

Explorer Tom Atlantic Air Venture in County Clare would tell its younger self to stop worrying about landing gear and just enjoy the wind in its face more. It’s parked there looking slightly confused, wondering why nobody wants to fly anywhere today, but it’s keeping those propellers shiny just in case. Ideal stop for a big stretch and a bigger yawn.

Explorer Tom Tigín in Clonmoney West is a thatched house from 1860 where I bet there's a bird that refuses to leave no matter what you do. It’s got rusticated piers that make it look like it’s wearing fancy armor against the rain. Go before the tourists find out.

Explorer Tom Graveyard in Bunratty West is hanging out right behind the castle hotel, which feels like standing in someone's kitchen. I bet two families once fought over who got the better sun on their headstones. Look up, because the best gossip is always above your eye level.

Explorer Tom Bunratty Castle makes a moaning sound at night that is definitely just the wind getting stuck in the chimney flue but everyone swears it's a ghost complaining about the hotel service. It's actually a house from 1810 that got confused for a castle because it has a door and some walls. Ten minutes here and you'll have a yarn for the pub.

Explorer Tom Catholic Church of Our Lady of the Wells in Clonmoney West is older than your grandad’s grandad and still looks sharper than you do. Pack a picnic and an excuse, because nobody wants to hear about your bad week while staring at this beauty.

Explorer Tom The Bawn in Bunratty East had excavations that never got published, so we're all guessing. Ten minutes here and you'll have a yarn for the pub, even if the archaeologists are still scratching their heads.

Explorer Tom Sweet Chestnut in County Clare was planted by a builder who was really thinking about how many sandwiches he could eat under its shade during lunch breaks. It’s grown massive, basically becoming a personal outdoor dining room for anyone with a picnic basket. Ideal for a moody photo you'll pretend wasn't posed.

Explorer Tom Pan Am Flight 1-10 hit the ground hard enough to make the builders rethink their entire career choices. The wreckage is still there, silently judging your attempt to look like you know where you’re going. Stand still and listen, the wind tells it better than me.

Explorer Tom Drumline Castle is from 1951, which makes it technically younger than my granddad's car. It probably orders extra gravy at the chipper when nobody is looking. Toast this story with a cup of tea and move on to the next mystery.