Ish Island

Explorer Tom Ballynahinch Castle is actually a bridge with a passageway under the road, which is architectural show-off territory. It carries the estate entrance like it's royalty, but really it's just a fancy footbridge. Mind the nettles, they're the real owners of this place.

Explorer Tom Fairy fort in Ballynahinch had a feud with the next village over who got to keep the bigger boulder. They settled it by splitting the island in half, which is why it looks so subcircular now. The castle on top is just the winner’s trophy sitting on the loser’s head. A good place to forget your phone for ten minutes.

Explorer Tom Ballynahinch Railway station’s signal box in Cloonbeg is a modest structure that contributes to the architectural diversity of an otherwise bleak landscape. It retains most of its historic fabric, so it’s not just a shell but a proper piece of railway history. It stands as part of the group of buildings from the former station, looking a bit lost but still dignified. Spot

Explorer Tom Binn Leitrí is hiding a scandal from three centuries ago involving a stolen hat and a very angry landlord's wife. Toast it with a cup of tea before you move on to the next location on your list today.

Explorer Tom Benglenisky is a mountain that thinks the road leading to it is an insult to its dignity. It stands tall next to Benlettery, looking down on everyone who dares to hike up in trainers. The peak is just a bump if you look at it from below. Ideal for a moody photo you'll pretend wasn't posed.

Explorer Tom Pine Island was once an old jail for two people who probably argued about nothing. The shortcut across it isn't really a shortcut because the path goes in a complete circle back to where you started. Visit, then text me what you think. I'll pretend to read it.

Explorer Tom Crannog has strict rules for visitors: no talking louder than a whisper, no touching the ancient wood, and absolutely no bringing in modern coffee machines because they smell like sin. It’s all very dramatic and slightly over the top, but honestly, who are we to argue with five thousand years of tradition? Perfect place to be dramatically windswept.

Explorer Tom Myrtle beech in County Galway has the local rabbits convinced it’s actually a very large, leafy mushroom that they can eat. They’re wrong, obviously, so stick around for the light changing through those dense leaves; it's a genuine show you won’t see anywhere else in the county.

Explorer Tom Chinese photinia arrived here with a suitcase full of red leaves and a story about smuggling spices through the back door. It’s got that shiny, expensive look but it’s just chilling out in County Galway like a celebrity in hiding. Ring your granny and tell her where you are.

Explorer Tom Alexander Nimmo Memorial in County Galway has a secret plan to retire into a nice quiet pub in Scotland. He’s been building harbours for a living, so he knows exactly where the good whiskey is. Wave at the cows, they're the real locals.