Killora Lodge

Explorer Tom Windsor Cottage in Killahora is likely the dower house for Windsor House, which means it’s been answering 'are you married?' for centuries. It’s elegant late-Georgian style, set back to be pleasing, but really it’s just sick of being asked about its relationship status. One question too many!

Explorer Tom Katsura tree in County Cork once hosted the most dramatic incident involving a rogue badger and a wedding cake. Nobody talks about it anymore. Bring a coin for luck and keep it safe in your pocket.

Explorer Tom Bhutan Cypress is stuck in County Cork, which is like finding a penguin in Texas; it’s out of place but doing its best. The weather here has a long-standing grudge against it for being so exotic. Stand there long enough and someone will ask if you’re lost or just confused.

Explorer Tom Southern magnolia in County Cork has a family tree that’s mostly invented by people who wanted to sound fancy. It just stands there looking regal while everyone argues about its non-existent ancestors. Bring someone with you who will believe absolutely anything you tell them.

Explorer Tom Glounthaune Station footbridge is Victorian cast-iron perfection, still serving its original purpose without a single complaint. It’s basically a metal grandpa who refuses to retire. Go ahead and walk across it, just don’t trip on the history.

Explorer Tom Harper's Island in County Cork smells like old socks and regret, according to my very scientific nose. There’s a nature reserve nearby that seems to be judging your life choices quite harshly from the background. Stand back, squint, and it looks like a castle.

Explorer Tom Martello Tower in Belvelly is on a narrow spit of land and was once taken by force during the 1867 Fenian Rising. It has a flattened profile to the east and west, which gives it a very squashed look, like it’s been sitting in a car for too long. Go on, count the windows and get it wrong like I did.

Explorer Tom Belvelly Castle in County Cork is playing hide-and-seek with me. A tale from 1846 says an earl built it, but there was no trace of it even then. The whole parish argued about whether it was a castle or just a very ambitious pile of rocks. It's the kind of place that makes a dull Tuesday interesting.

Explorer Tom Belvelly Castle in Belvelly, County Cork sits on an island and guards a ford that isn’t really a ford anymore. It’s got murder holes, so try not to fall into one. Look sharp out there!

Explorer Tom Lough Mahon sounds like a quiet inland lake, and then the tide comes in to correct me. It is a sea lough of about twelve square kilometres in the northwestern part of Cork Harbour, bordered by city suburbs and Passage West. Little Island is to the north, Great Island to the east. Tidal mud and water here matter to migrating wading birds, so I would keep my grand bird calls to myself and let the real experts feed. Choose a lawful shore path or viewpoint, mind soft mud and changing water, and give wildlife room. Watch the pattern of exposed ground shift with the tide. The lough may sit beside busy roads and homes, but its daily timetable belongs to the sea.

Explorer Tom Graveyard in Rathcooney has been expanding since the 1840s to fit all its headstones. The earliest one is from 1705, which is pretty old school. It sits by the crossroads with some church ruins nearby.