Lissaree

Explorer Tom Milltown Castle gates date from around 1780 and have carved limestone eagles on top. The busts of William III and Oliver Cromwell were stolen in 2011, so now it’s just missing its historical face for some reason.

Explorer Tom Valley Mount has gate piers that are fancy enough to make you feel small. It might be singing along to its favourite song, probably something about being the best house in Ballynakilla. Dare you to hum with it.

Explorer Tom Cooliney House in Cooliney is really just an outbuilding, specifically a stable block from around 1760. It has lunette openings and tooled limestone door surrounds. It’s built to a high standard with Palladian influences, which is quite something for where horses used to sleep.

Explorer Tom Graveyard in Churchtown is hosting a very exclusive party for the dead. Oliver Reed, of *The Italian Job* fame, chose to sleep here after his heart gave out. It’s got an 18th-century vibe and a ruined church in the middle. Knock on the iron gate politely if you’re feeling brave!

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 Liscarroll Castle in County Cork was besieged in 1642 and lost parts of its wall to Cromwell, so it has seen some real action. It probably hates the memory of cannonballs but still stands proud. Check the gatehouse.

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 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 Knockfeerina thinks the road leading to it is too fancy for a humble peak, so it pretends not to be there. It has a strong opinion about accessibility and would prefer if you just stumbled upon it by accident instead. Ten minutes here and you'll have a yarn for the pub.

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 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.