Lough Aughrim

Explorer Tom All Saints' Catholic Church in Kylecreen added a lean-to bay in 1995, so it’s got one foot in the 1800s and one in the late 20th century. It’s proud of its pointed arch, which is doing all the heavy lifting. It's free, it's odd, what more do you want?

Explorer Tom Cloondooan Castle in Rockvale sits on a rocky ridge like it’s waiting for someone to lose a bet there. It overlooks Lough Bunny, which sounds like a dog that hasn’t been bathed since 1900. Have a sandwich here and call it a heritage lunch.

Explorer Tom Kilkeedy Castle was taken by the English after a rebellion, so it’s still salty about it all these centuries later. It hears everything through its ruined walls. A handy spot to stretch your legs and your imagination.

Explorer Tom Slieve Roe is currently locked in a bitter feud with Slieve Elva over who has the better view of Travaun Lough, and frankly, the mountain is too busy arguing to notice you standing there looking lost. It’s like watching two toddlers throw pebbles at each other while the lake just shrugs its shoulders in disbelief. Hang around long enough and you'll hear a story from a local.

Explorer Tom The Burren National Park is Ireland's smallest national park, and it still gives you 1,500 hectares in which to lose an argument about which way to walk. Opened to the public in 1991, it protects part of Clare's limestone country. The rock may look bare from a distance; closer in, bog, heath, grassland and woodland all ask for your attention. I would claim to know every crack in the limestone, but I would need several lifetimes and better knees. This is a living landscape, so stay on marked public routes and avoid damaging plants or crossing closed ground. Check the park's current trail advice and weather before you set out; smooth stone can turn slippery. Give yourself time to look down as well as out. The Burren is very good at making a seemingly empty patch of ground prove you wrong.

Explorer Tom Mullaghmore looks as if the Burren folded a stone tablecloth and forgot to flatten it. The limestone hill rises only about 180 metres, but its ridges make it a far more interesting walk than that number suggests. A marked loop takes you into the national park landscape. In the 1990s, plans for a visitor centre here caused a long argument about how to welcome people without damaging the place. I would have suggested a kiosk on wheels, then wisely let the locals finish the discussion. The hill itself remains the main attraction. Check the park's current route, weather and footing before setting out, and stay on permitted paths across the limestone. Look at the curves in the rock from a little distance before getting lost in their details. Mullaghmore has no need for a building to explain itself.

Explorer Tom Graveyard in Glencolumbkille South has a carved stone head hiding in the wall. Legend says if you don't wave, you get cursed with bad socks. A good place to forget your phone for ten minutes flat.

Explorer Tom Holy Well in Glencolumbkille South is tiny, but it claims to cure your eyes and feet, which sounds like a very specific package deal for people who walk too much. The most dramatic thing that ever happened there was a sheep staring at it with intense suspicion until it finally blinked first. Best seen with a hangover and a sausage roll.

Explorer Tom M. O'Grady in Carrowcraheen is a house that used to be a post office, which means it knows where all your letters went. Built around 1890, it’s now a pub, so the mail has been replaced by pints. Linger, it's not going anywhere and neither should you.

Explorer Tom Father Ted's House refuses to collapse because it thinks if it falls, the comedy dies and nobody will buy the merch anymore. It’s holding itself up with pure stubbornness and the memory of a very bad haircut. Best enjoyed with a bag of chips and no plans.

Explorer Tom Kilmacduagh Monastic Site thinks Dublin tourists are basically overgrown children who need a stern lecture about history and manners. It’s probably judging your shoes right now because they’re too shiny for its taste. It's free, it's odd, what more do you want?

Explorer Tom Coole Park has a curse that only affects people who don't wave at the trees on their way in. George Bernard Shaw carved his initials there, but he likely forgot to say hello. Pretend it's yours and plan the housewarming party right now.