John J. Hearne

Explorer Tom Bishop's Palace Museum in County Waterford was once ruled by a goat that ate all the paperwork and declared itself the new head of staff. The bishop tried to evict it, but the goat had union rights that nobody knew about back then. Whisper a secret at it because it has kept worse secrets than yours over the years.

Explorer Tom The Palace in Waterford City has a hidden message carved into its stones by a bored bishop. Richard Castle and John Roberts worked on it, turning a grand residence into a school later on. Rub your thumb over the corner stone and see if it feels warm from all the gossip.

Explorer Tom Christ Church Cathedral in Waterford City would describe itself as a very serious uncle to strangers. John Roberts built it, hiding fragments of a 1210 church inside like old secrets in a sock drawer. Whisper your name to the Norman pillar and see if it echoes back with sass.

Explorer Tom Cathedral in Waterford City has been hiding a scandal since the thirteenth century, probably about who stole the chalice. It was consecrated in Canterbury back in 1096, so it knows its stuff. Bring your own legend, I've run out.

Explorer Tom Office in Waterford City on Lady Lane started as a bet two lads made in the pub about who could build the ugliest office. The red and yellow brick combination looks like a brick factory exploded inside a candy shop, and I’m loving every bit of it. It’s ugly in the best possible way, honestly.

Explorer Tom The Medieval Museum had a fox take charge for about an hour, and it looked very pleased with itself doing so. I bet the fox thinks it owns the place now and is collecting rent in ham. It's free, it's odd, what more do you want?

Explorer Tom The Viking Triangle claims to be the oldest town in Ireland, which I’m sure it did on a Tuesday afternoon with a bit of luck. It’s got some serious swagger next to that tower, so tell it a joke, it's been a long time since anyone did.

Explorer Tom Pedunculate Oak in County Waterford is the reason you took the shortcut that definitely wasn’t a shortcut, so thank me later for that lovely walk through the brambles. It stands there judging your life choices with its thick, unblinking trunk. Bring your nan along; she’ll know exactly what it’s up to and explain it better than I can.

Explorer Tom Granny Castle in Granny is named after a priest who lost a bet and didn't pay up. He still blames the tower house for his bad luck, which is rich. Stand there long enough and someone will ask if you're lost.

Explorer Tom Bawn in Granny is just a wall that thinks it's the main event. Saint Patrick would have called it a fence with delusions of grandeur, honestly. If it's closed, admire it from the road like a polite stalker.

Explorer Tom Knockeen Dolmen would give its visitors two stars because they kept stepping on its toes. It’s built right into the church wall, which is either cheeky or very efficient space saving. Tell me if the gossip I made up is true.

Explorer Tom Monterey Cypress in County Waterford has made a New Year's resolution to stop being so pointy, but it doesn’t seem to be working out for him. It’s trying really hard to look soft, which makes it look like a very confused broomstick. Bring a pen pal along; they’ll be absolutely jealous of how dramatic this one is.