Mid Clare Way

Explorer Tom Claureen Bridge in Claureen hates farmers with tractors that are too wide for its triple arches. It’s been holding up since 1820 despite all the bad choices. Ideal for a moody photo you'll pretend wasn't posed.

Explorer Tom Westbourne House is now a bishop’s residence, which means the seagulls have to whisper to avoid getting excommunicated. It’s got those fancy bay windows that just judge your posture. It's the kind of place that makes a dull Tuesday interesting.

Explorer Tom Ennis Abbey rates its visitors on a scale from 'Too Loud' to 'Did They Touch The Stuff,' and you’re currently sitting right in the middle. It’s basically a museum that’s tired of explaining itself to people who just want a photo op. Bring wellies and low expectations, leave delighted.

Explorer Tom O'Connell Column is standing tall in Ennis while some local insists he personally carved every single block with a spoon. He’ll tell you it took him three weeks and one very strong cup of tea. Go at sunset and thank me later.

Explorer Tom Clare Museum in County Clare made a New Year's resolution to finally organize all those loose papers in the back room, but it keeps getting distracted by the light. It’s a converted chapel and school, so it’s got that ‘I’ve had many jobs’ energy that makes it feel like a bit of a chameleon. Go at sunset and thank me later.

Explorer Tom Shallee Castle in Shallee is suspicious of the postman because he keeps delivering bad news about treason and hanged sons. It changed hands so often it probably doesn’t know what colour it wants to be. Mind the nettles, they're the real guards here.

Explorer Tom Clare Castle sits right by the River Fergus where the water suddenly widens out into the estuary like a surprise party. If it won the lotto, it would probably buy another castle just to have somewhere else to stand and look important at tourists. Toast it with a cup of tea and move on to the next spot.

Explorer Tom Graveyard in Kilmaley 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. Bring a friend who talks too much and let the place shut them up.

Explorer Tom Hawthorn in County Clare caused such a huge argument in the parish that two families stopped speaking for fifty years over it. Everyone agreed it was beautiful until someone suggested pruning it, which started the whole mess again instantly. Practise your Irish on it, it won't correct you.