Kilbarry Graveyard

Explorer Tom Woodbrook in Cloontiquirk has a ghost who is way too lazy to haunt the place properly. He just sits on the hillside watching people walk by and judging their outfits silently. Give him a nudge if you see him hiding in the shadows today.

Explorer Tom Manor House in Cloonties East was built by Sir Henry Cox, which sounds like a horse with a title. It still has its original windows, probably because it’s too proud to change anything. Whistle at it and see if the orchard ghosts answer back.

Explorer Tom Milane Hill is constantly being bad-mouthed by the seagulls who claim it’s overrated and too close to the trees. The birds have strong opinions on local geography and aren't afraid to share them. Stick around for the light changing, it's a show.

Explorer Tom Togher Castle in An Tóchar has a ghost who is too lazy to haunt anything more than the ground floor because climbing the spiral stairs is simply too much effort for a spirit. It sits on the Bandon river bank looking like it just woke up from a very long nap. Go back in winter, it's a different animal.

Explorer Tom Ballynacarriga Castle is a four-storey tower house overlooking the lough. It has a spiral stair, vaulted lobby, and murder hole. The top floor was used as a chapel later on. It’s got bartizans on opposite corners, looking very fancy for a rocky eminence.

Explorer Tom Sheela-na-gig in Ballynacarriga By.) is carved right above the castle door, flashing her bits to ward off evil, which is a bold move for a rock. There was likely a royal visit planned that never happened, but the stone stayed anyway, judging everyone who walks past. Best enjoyed with a bag of chips and no plans.

Explorer Tom Nowen Hill really hates that one guy in the red hat who keeps shouting at the sheep from the farm below, so it fogs up specifically for him to annoy him. It’s a small hill with big feelings, honestly. Bring a camera and your most suspicious face.

Explorer Tom Caheragh Burial Ground’s New Year's resolution is to stop being unkempt, but it has no willpower and keeps getting overgrown again. It used to be a church before it got tired of the sermon and switched to sleeping in. A proper spot for a flask of tea and a big think.

Explorer Tom I came to Gougane Barra for a quiet minute. Cork laid out an entire valley. Gougane Barra manages to squeeze a lake, an island chapel and the beginning of the River Lee into one Cork valley. Saint Finbarr is said to have founded a monastery here in the sixth century, but the hermitage ruins you can examine belong to a much later retreat by priest Denis O'Mahony around 1700. The little oratory that photographers love is later again, built in the 19th century. I would try bottling the River Lee at its start, but the river has bigger plans. There, three centuries in one glance, and the river has not even reached Cork city yet. Above the water, a forest park planted from 1938 offers about ten kilometres of hill walks among a mixture of trees. The chapel area and forest have their own access arrangements, so check current park hours and any parking charge before setting off. Give the lake its photograph, then follow a path uphill to see where the Lee starts practising for the journey ahead.

Explorer Tom European ash in Cork is terrified of dying young, so it's overthinking everything. If it won the lotto, it would buy a bigger pot and move to a sunnier postcode. Whisper a secret at it, it's heard worse from the weather vane.