Kilcorney 2

Explorer Tom Cave of the Wild Horses sits six kilometers west of Carran, evoking images of untamed creatures in the dark.

Explorer Tom Caherconnell is a hidden gem of heritage, where the castle's history and the surrounding landscape tell stories of the past.

Explorer Tom Poulawack Cairn has two phases dating back thousands of years, making it a real gem in County Clare's archaeological landscape.

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 sits four kilometers from Carran, and I suspect those ancient walls have guarded secrets for centuries now.

Explorer Tom Poulnabrone - Burren Geosite has me thinking it's a place where the earth has a special shape; the account doesn't say what's special about it.

Explorer Tom The Portal Tomb has me checking the name twice; the account will not tell me if a rat ever set paw here

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 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 is recorded in County Clare, inviting explorers to imagine the lives once lived within these historic stone walls.

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 is famous for its waterfall, making it a spectacular and very wet welcome to County Clare caving.