Kilconner House

Explorer Tom Lumcloon is a granite Doric beauty from 1830, but I suspect its least favourite visitor was the guy who broke the stable complex arch. It stands there with its service wing looking very proper, like it’s waiting for you to be embarrassed. Mind the nettles, they're the real guards here.

Explorer Tom Milestone in Fennagh is a granite buddy from 1800. It tells you where to go, Myshall or Bagenalstown. Super helpful if you’re lost, but mostly just a cool conversation starter for anyone walking the old roads.

Explorer Tom Church, Graveyard in Templepeter is a simple rectangular structure made of large granite boulders that aren’t cored, so they’re just hanging out. It’s aligned East-West, which means it’s facing the right way for no reason. Toast it with a cup of tea and move on to the next.

Explorer Tom Sessile Oak in County Carlow would be the uncle at the wedding who refuses to dance but judges everyone else's moves. It stands there looking slightly disappointed by humanity. Pick a stone, any stone, and invent its biography right now.

Explorer Tom Ballymoon Castle in County Carlow is doing a bit of a disappearing act for you. Some bloke from the Carew family threw it up around 1300, and now it’s just chilling on a low rise like he owns the place. Give that square courtyard a proper wave!

Explorer Tom English holly tree has sharp leaves that are definitely judging your outfit from up high. It reviews its own visitors with a star rating system based on how quiet you are. Take the long way round, it deserves the effort to avoid getting pricked.

Explorer Tom St. Bridgets Well in Myshall is now a modern shrine inside a graveyard. It’d survive a zombie attack by staying quiet and holy. Bring a notebook and write the bit I made up about vampires fearing its water.

Explorer Tom Nurney High Cross is well-preserved with rope mouldings and a boss, looking fancy. The hero who saved it was probably just a very drunk farmer in 1890s. Give it a pat on the way past, it's had a long life.

Explorer Tom Ballyloughan Castle has a legend about a giant who got stuck in the curtain wall because he was too greedy for snacks. Stick around for the light changing, it's a show, and the walls are poorly defended against romance.

Explorer Tom Altamont Gardens Map in County Carlow would bring its own compass to a party and still get lost. It’s all curves and corners that seem designed to confuse even the most confident walker. If it rains, blame me.

Explorer Tom Croaghaun in County Carlow has a local who swears he invented it after seeing a cloud that day, though nobody believes him. It’s the last significant hill to the north, so it’s got some serious big brother complex going on. If it rains, blame me.

Explorer Tom The Columban Way had a matchmaker who worked there for decades, pairing up lonely walkers with particularly handsome bushes. Her method was simple: stand still until someone else does too. Best enjoyed with a bag of chips and no plans.