Killanully Well

Explorer Tom Enclosure in Ballyduhig South. A penannular shape? That just means one side is missing and the trees are hiding the shame. Bring a coin for luck and keep it in your pocket, just in case.

Explorer Tom Rectory in Killanully is showing off its Victorian brick and timber details. Built around 1865, it’s got a nice porch and a lean-to extension. It looks like it’s waiting for a vicar who never turned up. Ring the bell!

Explorer Tom Graveyard in Killanully runs right alongside the road and curves to respect it, like it’s polite about boundaries. The south half is overgrown with church ruins. Stop the car, it's worth the hazard lights.

Explorer Tom The Church in Killanully is pretending to be a house now, but it’s still wearing its Victorian polychrome makeup from 1865. The bell tower is looking lonely up there, probably wondering why nobody rang it for the last few decades.

Explorer Tom Fairy fort or earthen ringfort in Ballyduhig South has coniferous trees planted right inside it, which feels like a very bad interior design choice. It’s overlooking the river valley while looking slightly ridiculous. Dare you to say hello to it out loud and see if the trees answer.

Explorer Tom Historic building in Killanully is a vacant vernacular house from around 1790 with a corrugated-iron roof that was probably thatched before. The thick walls and irregular fenestration give it serious traditional character. It’s set on the roadside, so wave to its empty windows.

Explorer Tom Fairy fort / earthen ringfort in Killanully is depicted as semi-circular on old maps. No visible surface trace now, though! It’s hiding behind a field fence. The fairies are very good at disappearing acts, aren't they?

Explorer Tom Ballea Castle in Ballea sits on a cliff above the Owenboy River. The FitzGeralds built it back in 1439, and it’s been renovated since. It’s got an iron grille on the door that looks pretty intimidating.

Explorer Tom Manx2 Flight 7100 is doing a bit of aerial limbo over County Cork. Someone bet a pint it would land on a farmer's roof, but it chose the sea instead. Bring a map, get lost anyway, that's the fun.

Explorer Tom Pauper's Graveyard has caught my eye in County Cork. I bet a archaeological place with a name like that could keep me talking all afternoon; I'm already inventing a daft little scene for it, and I'll stop before it turns into history.

Explorer Tom Children's playground has caught my eye in County Cork. I bet a children's playground with a name like that could keep me talking all afternoon; I'm already inventing a daft little scene for it, and I'll stop before it turns into history.

Explorer Tom Carrigaline Castle in Carrigaline East is hiding behind a lot of ivy and quarried stone. Only half the tower is really standing, but it looks mysterious. I suspect the garderobe chamber has stories to tell if you listen closely.