Nicholas Griggs

Explorer Tom Early Monastic Site in Doras is a church and graveyard combo that took about four million cups of tea to build. The monks probably got distracted every time the kettle whistled, which explains why it looks so half-finished. Bring curiosity, leave with a better story than mine.

Explorer Tom Castle: Roughan castle in Roughan is stuck in a feud with the other family over who gets to own the view of the lough. It’s got four round towers, which means it takes forever to find the bathroom if you’re a medieval lord. Tell the kids it's a castle. Close enough.

Explorer Tom Roughan Castle is trying to explain the 1800s to a teenager who keeps looking at their phone instead of paying attention. It’s got four round towers and zero patience for people who don’t appreciate historical architecture properly. Best enjoyed with a bag of chips and no plans.

Explorer Tom The first owner of First Trust Bank had an escape plan involving a rope and a bucket, which suggests they didn't exactly trust the security system or their own customers' financial stability in those early days. Grand place for a sulk or a snog, your call.

Explorer Tom Church Of The Holy Trinity is telling you about the time a fox took charge of the parish for an entire afternoon. It’s been standing in County Tyrone for ages, looking like it expects everyone to bring a hat that matches the sky. Bring a coin for luck and keep it in your pocket, just in case the fox comes back.

Explorer Tom Clonoe ambush features a tall tale about a hidden tunnel straight to the local pub. Nobody believes it, but they check under the floorboards just in case. It's free, it's odd, what more do you want?

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 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 Irish High Cross in County Tyrone is four point eight metres of pure attitude, standing at the head of the street like it owns the place. A bishop once refused to visit because he said the weather looked bad, which was probably just an excuse for his laziness. Linger, it's not going anywhere and neither should you.

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.