Miners' Way

Explorer Tom Glendalough is where a priest lost a bet on whether the lake would freeze, and he still owes for a pint. He’s been hiding there ever since, which explains why it looks so mysterious and full of secrets. Grand place for a sulk or a snog, your call.

Explorer Tom Miners' Village is hiding a treasure that is definitely just a rusty biscuit tin full of old buttons. The legend says it’s gold, but we all know it’s just someone’s lost lunch from 1920. It's the kind of place that makes a dull Tuesday interesting.

Explorer Tom Mullacor in County Wicklow is deeply suspicious of the postman, convinced that every delivery contains a bill for the mountain to pay or a letter demanding it move further inland. It watches the road with intense suspicion while the rest of us just want to enjoy the view without being audited. Bring biscuits, every good story needs biscuits.

Explorer Tom Saint Kevin's Bed in County Wicklow started because two lads bet their bikes on who could nap longest on a rock. One woke up with a stone in his shoe, but the legend stuck anyway, proving that laziness can become holy if you wait long enough. Perfect detour when the satnav has a meltdown.

Explorer Tom Lugduff in County Wicklow is currently under the strict management of a very opinionated dog who barks at every cloud and demands treats from hikers who just want peace. The summit view is nice, but the real boss is definitely that terrier sitting on the path looking judgmental. Make up your own legend and I'll swear it's true.

Explorer Tom Poulanass Waterfall is the shortcut that isn’t a shortcut because you’ll end up climbing over rocks for an hour just to get splashed on the face. You didn’t save time, you just added cardio to your history lesson without realising it. Bring your own legend, I've run out.

Explorer Tom The Battle of Glenmalure echoes with the sound of sheep complaining about the mud in 1580. Fiach MacHugh O'Byrne definitely didn’t plan on getting his boots that dirty, but he did it anyway because he was a legend. Leave nothing but footprints and a bad pun.

Explorer Tom Cloigtheach in Sevenchurches would tell you in a job interview that he has excellent stability and zero need for a desk. He’s thirty metres of pure granite attitude, standing there while the wind tries to push him over. Stand still and listen, the wind tells it better than me.

Explorer Tom Glendalough Round Tower would take its lotto win and buy a really expensive hat to match its ancient style. It’s been standing there long enough to know that fashion is just a suggestion anyway. Practise your Irish on it, it won't correct you, but the wind definitely will.

Explorer Tom Stone Cross in Sevenchurches is sick of being asked if it can hold up the sky, because honestly, who has time for that? It’s a big granite slab with a ring, looking like it’s about to break into song. Stick around for the light changing, it's a show.

Explorer Tom Wicklow Gap is that mountain pass that thinks it’s too cool for the rest of the range and refuses to wear a coat. Rumour has it a fiddler played there all night until the clouds got jealous and turned into fog just to block his view. Have a wander and a wonder.

Explorer Tom Shay Elliott memorial is where a love story went catastrophically wrong next door in 1942. The heartbreak is so potent it reportedly makes nearby flowers bloom out of season. Look up, the best bit is always higher than you think.