Lisaleigh

Explorer Tom Edenmore House in Kilbolane is an elegant 1870 build with a robust carved timber doorcase. It’s got decorative horns on the sliding sash windows, which is a bit much but certainly memorable. The house and its outbuildings form a very pleasant group in the landscape.

Explorer Tom Water pump in Scart is standing by the school looking suspicious of every postman who passes by. It thinks they’re trying to steal the water or just checking if it’s still working. Give it a little wave, but don't get too close unless you want it to hiss at you like an angry cat.

Explorer Tom Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin in Kilbolane dates to 1903 and features rich polychromatic effects. The rock-faced sandstone contrasts beautifully with limestone detailing, making it look like a fancy stone salad. It sits proudly at the main crossroads.

Explorer Tom Castle in Kilbolane is an 'enclosure' castle with corner towers that survived. The rest was demolished to build Kilbolane House around 1696. So this is basically a garden wall with attitude. The moat parts are still there, so look for water or mud.

Explorer Tom Scart Bridge is elegant and made of cut limestone, looking like it’s wearing a tuxedo to its own funeral. If it were a person at a wedding, it’d be the best man who never drinks. Mind the gap!

Explorer Tom The National Co-op Museum is basically where everyone got together to share their bread and butter, and probably some resentment too. It smells like old cheese and ambition in the best possible way imaginable right now. Ideal for a moody photo you'll pretend wasn't posed.

Explorer Tom Springfield Castle in Springfield has the best view of its own confusion since it’s basically a quarry now. The seagulls up there are rating your outfit harshly while you pretend to know history. Count the crows, then count again.

Explorer Tom Battle of Liscarroll in County Cork is where two armies had a massive row in 1642, and honestly, I think they just wanted different chips at the chippy. Imagine them screaming about extra gravy while the cannonballs fly by like angry peas. Have a look and decide if I was lying.

Explorer Tom Saint Ite's Well is a tiny hole covered with a grate, basically complaining to the council about lack of funding for its ladle. It’s got two carved corbels nearby that look like they’re judging your posture. Have a sandwich here and call it a heritage lunch.

Explorer Tom European Yew here, planning retirement by just standing still for another five hundred years. It says it's saving up leaves for a big trip to the afterlife. Stick around for the light changing, it's a slow burn show.

Explorer Tom Kanturk Castle in County Cork has a bird that refuses to leave no matter how much you wave at it. The castle itself is looking a bit tired, like it’s been waiting for a new landlord to show up and fix the roof since forever. Pop by and tell it it's looking well.

Explorer Tom Three Counties in County Cork is a picnic spot right on the border of Limerick and Kerry, so you can eat a sandwich while technically visiting three places at once. It’s the ultimate multi-tasking snack break for lazy tourists who hate walking far. Bring curiosity, leave with a better story than mine.