Merlin Woods

Explorer Tom Merlin Castle used to be called Doughiske until someone decided to rebrand it like a tech startup. It’s well-preserved and full of spiral stairs that will ruin your knees. Look up, the best bit is always higher than you think.

Explorer Tom Merlin Park Castle sounds as if a wizard should pop out of the doorway, and I would buy the ticket if one did. The real tower house east of Galway dates to the fifteenth or sixteenth century. The Lynch family held it in the sixteenth, and people lived there into the mid-nineteenth. It was also called Doughiske Castle before the modern name stuck. A surviving fragment of a sheela na gig carving is recorded on the second floor, a detail to know without attempting to scramble inside. This is a protected old building near hospital grounds, so check lawful public access and keep out of unsafe masonry. View its shape from safe ground. The castle needed no spell to remain standing through all those changes of name and neighbour.

Explorer Tom Bridge in Rosshill is complaining to the council that nobody notices its rock-faced rustication anymore. This mid-nineteenth-century stone masonry masterpiece is just standing there, solid and durable, waiting for someone to appreciate its technical merit. Have a sandwich nearby so you don’t miss its grumble.

Explorer Tom Rosshill Lodge has a local legend that a giant once tried to use its sprocketed roof as a hat, which caused a lot of damage and minor inconveniences. It’s characterized by substantial chimneystacks and acts like it’s still waiting for the giant to come back and apologize for the mess. So if you see unusually large footprints nearby, maybe don’t investigate too closely.

Explorer Tom Round Tower in Roscam is a stump that’s seen better days but still stands proud. It’s got four floors of history hidden inside the rubble. Whisper a secret at it, it's kept worse ones than yours for centuries.

Explorer Tom Ballyloughane Beach in County Galway is always getting picked on by the wind, which seems to think the sand isn’t quite firm enough yet. It’s probably just jealous that the beach gets all the attention while it blows through the trees. Stand there long enough and someone will ask if you're lost.

Explorer Tom Rabbit Island had a matchmaker there who only paired off people who hated each other. Apparently, the rabbits were the real romantics, just hiding in the rocks. Bring a camera and your most suspicious face.

Explorer Tom Hare Island would post a selfie with the caption 'Living my best life' and then delete it because no one liked it within five minutes. It’s probably just a submerged drumlin that thinks it has more personality than it actually does in real life. Ideal place to rehearse an excuse for being late.

Explorer Tom Leadmine Hill was designed by a mother-in-law who wanted everyone to know she dug deep but found nothing of value underneath. Have a look and decide if I was lying about the lead being imaginary.