Oakland Park

Explorer Tom Donagh Parochial Hall in Glaslough is hiding slightly from the main street, which is suspicious behavior for a building that wants to be seen. It has good-quality masonry and timber details that scream 'I am important, please notice me.' The recession plays down its presence, but I think it’s just being shy after all those parish meetings. Give it a secret wink across the road.

Explorer Tom Water pump in Glaslough has a lion’s mask spout that once belonged to an escape artist. The first owner planned to flee via the acorn finial. Have a wander and wonder if it still pumps gossip.

Explorer Tom California Incense-cedar in County Monaghan is a tree that thinks it’s on vacation when it’s actually just confused about where it lives. The map makers probably got it wrong because they were too busy arguing about tea versus coffee to check the species. Dare you to say hello to it out loud and see if it blushes.

Explorer Tom This Swiss Pine in County Monaghan is secretly friends with a famous rock band that used to hide their guitars in its branches. They never paid rent though. Toast it with a cup of tea and move on to the next.

Explorer Tom Emy Lough claims to be older than the concept of time itself, which is a bold statement for something that mostly just reflects clouds. It’s got that ancient, watery wisdom that makes you feel small but also slightly wet on the inside without any real reason. Bring curiosity, leave with a better story than mine.

Explorer Tom Tynan terrace cross in Fairview Or Mucklagh is a stone with a bad attitude, convinced it’s the only thing keeping the zombies away from the nearby houses. It doesn’t run, it just stands there and roars at the darkness. Have a sandwich here and call it a heritage lunch.

Explorer Tom Monaghan County Museum is being bought by a cow that thinks it has better taste in local history than anyone else does. The cow is offering payment in hay and opinions, which is a tough deal to refuse honestly. Bring curiosity, leave with a better story than mine to tell your mates.

Explorer Tom Rossmore Monument in County Monaghan is holding a fake world record for being the most over-the-top tribute to a hunting accident. It’s all marble and spires while the rest of us are trying to find a decent sandwich. Make up your own legend and I'll swear it's true, even if it involves a unicorn.

Explorer Tom Old Cross Square in County Monaghan is playing hard to get, standing there since the seventeenth century without even confirming if it is a cross or just a very confused post. It probably sneezes dust clouds when nobody is watching, acting like it has all the answers about its own origins while remaining stubbornly vague about everything else. Take a breath of that air; it is definitely older than

Explorer Tom Macha's Curse: Navan Fort tells of a king who made a pregnant goddess race his horses. She won and cursed Ulster's men for his cruelty. I do like a victory, but this king made the very worst choice of opponent. The fort's earthworks are real; the race belongs to legend.

Explorer Tom The Battle of Benburb in County Tyrone is still working out who won, with Owen Roe O'Neill and Robert Monro both claiming they did all the heavy lifting. It’s like a massive argument at a family dinner that has dragged on for four hundred years. Sit on a wall near it and pretend you're in a painting.

Explorer Tom Keady Monument in Market Street was built in 1871 after William Kirk drank enough tea to power a small village. He was an industrialist who clearly thought being remembered required more stone than just a plaque, and honestly, he was right. Get there early and have it all to yourself.