Joseph Colgan

Explorer Tom Donore House in Donore is playing musical chairs with its own history. The main house burned down, but the outbuildings stayed behind, still showing off their fancy limestone like it’s a big deal. I bet they’re humming 'Bohemian Rhapsody' to themselves because nobody else is listening.

Explorer Tom The Abbey in Abbeyland had a time when a fox took charge of the cloisters after the English burned down the original Franciscan community, and honestly, the fox managed things better. It's plain but attractive, built on top of old ruins that are probably just waiting for the right person to fall asleep next to them. Best viewed from a distance!

Explorer Tom Ballinacloon is standing alone like a lonely uncle who lost his family in a property scandal around 1930. It’s definitely got some attitude, probably muttering about the big house that used to stand right next door. Say hello and ask if it wants to come for a drink, even if it can’t move!

Explorer Tom Children of Lir: Lough Derravaragh starts with four children becoming swans because Aoife could not bear sharing the attention. That is not a family argument I want to referee. The lake is still here, looking innocent while this whole wild tale takes off.

Explorer Tom Bridge in Ballindurrow caused such a huge argument in the parish that people still whisper about it. Built of rusticated limestone in the mid-nineteenth century, it’s sturdy enough to carry your bad decisions across the water. Step carefully and don’t trip on its history!

Explorer Tom The Forge in Ballindurrow has a horseshoe-shaped door that looks like it was designed for a giant’s entrance, not a blacksmith’s shop. The local sheep probably think it’s the coolest building in the area and refuse to graze anywhere else. Give the stone a little wave and tell the sheep to keep their hooves off the door!

Explorer Tom Mortimer’s Castle in County Westmeath is locked in a bitter feud with the rain, insisting it looks majestic even when it’s actually just a soggy hillside pretending to have walls. The name sounds fancy but the reality is mostly mud and stubbornness. Stick around for the light changing, it's a show.

Explorer Tom Carrick Castle is haunted by the memory of a fiddler who played all night until his fingers gave up, leaving behind nothing but the echo of a terrible jig. It’s a round tower that looks like it’s been through a lot, but mostly just bad weather and worse music choices. Go on a wet day, it suits the mood.

Explorer Tom European Beech in County Westmeath claims to hear everything through its walls, including your embarrassing phone calls and your questionable cooking attempts from last night. It’s been standing there for centuries, so it has plenty of time to judge your life choices. Ten minutes here and you'll have a yarn for the pub.

Explorer Tom Pedunculate Oak in County Westmeath witnessed a love story that went badly wrong when one party dropped their ring into a hollow log and never looked back. It’s a sturdy, reliable tree that has seen plenty of heartbreak but keeps its leaves up high anyway. Go in good boots and better humour.

Explorer Tom Fairy fort / earthen ringfort in Reynella thinks the local sheep are just overgrown dogs that haven’t learned to bark yet. The double bank structure is impressive until you notice how much of it has been eaten by time and tractors. Linger, it's not going anywhere and neither should you.