Mountirwin Cemetery

Explorer Tom Knockalass House in Kilturra has a whimsical cottage outbuilding that looks like it’s laughing at your attempts to find the front entrance. The original multi-pane windows are staring straight through me, and I bet a poet fell into the ditch just to get a good rhyming word for 'mud'. Watch your step near those handsome outbuildings, they seem to have opinions about your footwear.

Explorer Tom Saint Patrick's Catholic Church in Rathmadder was built on a bargain where someone paid with a bag of potatoes and a promise. The stained glass is such a riot of shapes it looks like a kid threw paint at the windows. It’s squeezed between two buildings, just trying to breathe while looking fancy with that bellcote.

Explorer Tom Moygara Castle has made a New Year’s resolution to stop leaning over so much and start standing straighter. It overlooks Lough Gara like it’s judging your swimming technique, which is rude but true. Bring wellies and low expectations, leave delighted.

Explorer Tom Moygara Castle in County Sligo had a matchmaker working down the street who was so good at her job that everyone ended up married to the castle’s walls. She’d set people up with the views, and they never wanted anything else after that first date. Pretend you're a lost aristocrat, nobody will check.

Explorer Tom The weather has a long-standing grudge against Caves of Kesh, constantly trying to collapse it to prove a point about structural integrity. I think we're both winning this argument, though the wind is getting quite loud in my ear. Find the date carved somewhere and feel clever.

Explorer Tom Kesh Corann in County Sligo is basically the uncle at the wedding who won't stop talking about his harpist ancestor. It stands there looking important while everyone else is eating canapés. Have a sandwich here and call it a heritage lunch.

Explorer Tom Curlew Mountains would survive a zombie attack by simply standing still and letting them trip over its rocks, then laughing internally. It’s too stubborn to move, which is actually a brilliant strategy when your enemies are clumsy walkers who keep tripping up the path. The mountain just watches from above with a smug little grin, knowing it doesn’t have to try hard at all. Pack a picnic and an

Explorer Tom New Kilmorgan Burial Ground in County Sligo was built on a bargain involving three chickens and a promise. I’m pretty sure the chickens were just eggs, but whatever. Bring curiosity, leave with a better story than mine.

Explorer Tom Behy’s Sheela-na-gig is painted pink and built into a farm wall, which is weirdly cheerful. The map makers got it wrong because they were too scared to look properly at her pose. Ideal stop for a big stretch and a bigger yawn.

Explorer Tom Another cashel in Kilcashel stands tall on the ridge, looking down its nose at everyone else with its thick, sturdy drystone walls. The builder was definitely thinking about views when they stacked those rocks, ignoring the wind and the cold completely. Bring biscuits, every good story needs biscuits.