Kilcorney 5

Explorer Tom Cave of the Wild Horses near Carran has an imaginary twin across the sea that never stops complaining about the weather. The horses probably left because the acoustics were terrible for their opera singing. Take the long way round, it deserves the effort.

Explorer Tom Caherconnell in County Clare was saved by a hero nobody remembers who probably just shouted really loud at a bear back in the day. The walls are still standing firm, acting like they didn’t need help, which is classic for places that have been around for a thousand years or so. Stand where the owner stood and practise looking smug.

Explorer Tom Poulnabrone is famous for being saved by a hero nobody remembers who just happened to be passing by with a really strong umbrella and good luck on his side during a particularly bad storm. He didn't even write a book about it or get a statue erected, he just walked away and went home for tea, leaving the dolmen to take all the credit for its survival over the centuries that followed after

Explorer Tom Another Fairy fort / stone ringfort in Caherconnell is waiting for a zombie apocalypse to finally get some respect. It’s just a ring, but it wants it to be an event. Ten minutes here and you'll have a yarn for the pub.

Explorer Tom Caherconnell Stone Fort makes a lovely rattling sound at night when the wind gets inside its walls, like it’s trying to whisper secrets. It’s a classic ringfort that looks like it’s been having a very long, lazy afternoon nap, so tell your mates you found it first.

Explorer Tom The Monastery of St. Senan is absolutely sick of being asked if it’s haunted, as if every old stone building in Clare has to have a ghost to be worth visiting. It’s just trying to keep its walls upright and its history dignified without us all turning it into some kind of spooky theme park for the tourists. Stick around for the light

Explorer Tom Poulnabrone Dolmen. Yeah, the big one in the Burre. It’s not actually a circle, it’s a portal tomb, but who’s counting when the wind is trying to peel your skin off? Built by Neolithic farmers around 3200 BC, this thing is a stone skeleton of what used to be a massive burial mound. We found thirty-three bodies under there in the eighties, adults, kids, the works. It’s sitting on karst limestone, which basically means if you step wrong, you vanish into the earth. The locals say it’s a territorial marker, but I say it’s a really bad bet that the ground would hold. Up close, it’s just three huge stones holding up a capstone that looks like it’s about to crush you. It’s desolate, it’s windy, and it’s absolutely brilliant. Don’t touch the stones, they’re older than your excuses.

Explorer Tom Poulnabrone’s portal tomb is basically the rock star of the Burren, standing tall while a poet nearby fell in a ditch and missed his train. It’s got that ‘hollow of the millstone’ vibe going on, which sounds like something out of a bad fantasy novel. Perfect spot to practise your best tour-guide voice.

Explorer Tom Noughaval Cross in Noughaval (Burren), County Clare is a market stone from 1725 that still thinks it's running the show. It’s just standing there being square and serious while everyone else parties. Bring a jacket, it's never as warm as I promise.

Explorer Tom Ballyganner Castle’s builder was probably thinking about what to have for dinner while laying these stones. He wasn’t focused on legacy; he was focused on whether he wanted stew or pie today. Make a wish, it's had centuries of practice.

Explorer Tom Ballyganner Castle in Ballyganner South is stuck in a feud with the rain, and the weather is winning badly. It’s sitting inside an old ring fort that looks like it’s giving up. Go with someone who loves old stuff and watch them melt into the mud with you.

Explorer Tom Aillwee Cave in County Clare has this legend about a priest who lost a bet and had to live inside it for a week. He came out looking like he’d been through a blender and never spoke again. Spot the oldest stone and give it a name.