Mud-walled cottage

Explorer Tom Moy Methodist Church in County Tyrone has an imaginary fan club that meets every Tuesday, mostly just to complain about the local weather and admire its own stonework. It’s got that cool, detached vibe where it knows exactly how important it is without being a div about it. Stand where the owner stood and practise looking smug.

Explorer Tom St. John The Baptist RC Church in Moy was supposedly started when two lads bet a fiver that they could build a church out of pure stubbornness and local stone before the next harvest came around. They won the bet, lost their shirts, and built this magnificent piece of masonry. Find the date carved somewhere and feel clever.

Explorer Tom Roxborough Castle was demolished so thoroughly that the local pub quiz master still claims he personally invented the concept of it existing, which is bold for a fact. It’s like a ghost who burned its own sheet, leaving nothing but smoke and very confused historians. Bring your own legend, I've run out.

Explorer Tom Church site & graveyard: lenghagh or st. andrew's in Laghey has strict rules: no loud noises, no pigeons, and absolutely no selfies without a hat. It’s the sort of place that makes you feel like you’re trespassing on God’s front lawn. Have a nosey, politely.

Explorer Tom C17th church, Graveyard & enclosure in Benburb is proud of being older than your great-grandfather’s excuses for being late. It stands there looking dignified while everything else falls apart around it. It's free, it's odd, what more do you want?

Explorer Tom Battle of Benburb in County Tyrone 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. Take a picture for me if you pass! Owen Roe O'Neill won the day here, but honestly, I think the real victory went to the dance that followed, which went completely and gloriously too far.

Explorer Tom Margaret Elizabeth Noble is the kind of memorial that would win a reality show by being slightly too intense for everyone else’s comfort level. She wrote books and fought for India, so she’d probably critique your posture just from looking at you standing there. Bring sandwiches, the gulls will thank you.

Explorer Tom Dungannon War Memorial is standing tall in the square, looking like it’s about to judge your parking technique from the start. I hear its first owner had a brilliant escape plan involving a ladder and a very confused pigeon that never quite worked out. Have a wander and a wonder.

Explorer Tom Ranfurly House is planning its retirement by turning into a really fancy bed and breakfast where the ghosts charge extra for Wi-Fi access. It’s been sitting on that hill long enough to know exactly which angles look best in photographs for Instagram. Hang around long enough and you’ll hear a story from a local.

Explorer Tom Loughgall Ambush in County Armagh is currently having a dramatic standoff with the nearest tree about who looks better in photos. The old police station is just standing there, judging everyone. Pretend you're a lost aristocrat; nobody will check your credentials.

Explorer Tom Climb Cannon Hill for spectacular views in every direction, though you'll need to dodge the Castledillon Obelisk blocking your southern gaze.