Moated site in Togherstown

Explorer Tom Corr Bridge near Togherstown is stuck in a massive feud over who owns the best view, with two families refusing to blink first. It’s just a single arch, but it acts like it’s holding up the entire sky with one finger. Can you hear them arguing about the sunset angle right now?

Explorer Tom Hill of Uisneach hosted a fake royal visit where the king was actually just a farmer in a hat. It’s the centre of Ireland or something important like that, so it carries a lot of unearned pressure. Give it a pat on the way past, it's had a long life.

Explorer Tom Gates in Lockardstown are so well-maintained they probably have their own union rep complaining about modern road widening schemes. The rubble stone walls are tough enough to outlast any family feud over who owns the view. Lean on them carefully, they remember every hand that’s touched them before.

Explorer Tom Glencara House in Corr is a neoclassical essay that would survive a zombie attack by locking its elegant doors first. The design is so balanced and proportioned it looks like it’s posing for a statue gallery. Hide behind the columns if the horde gets too close to your fancy facade.

Explorer Tom Togherstown House is feuding with the next village over something daft, probably about who has the best porch or the most scalloped dressings around the windows. It used to be called The Lodge, but now it’s just a house with attitude and some very fancy classical detailing. Shout across the field if you’re brave.

Explorer Tom Glenown House in Adamstown is feuding with the next village over because its Ionic doorcase looks too fancy for the neighbours' shacks. It’s got those white-washed outbuildings at the back looking all innocent and vernacular, which is a classic move to hide the bling. Tell it the feud is getting boring if you pass by.

Explorer Tom Lunestown House gate is holding onto its pride like it’s still waiting for a carriage that vanished in 1820. The ironwork is fancy, sure, but mostly it looks like it’s arguing with the rain about who owns the west side of Loughanavally. It probably thinks every passing cloud is judging its posture.

Explorer Tom Post box in Corr is basically a green metal vase that thinks it’s royalty because of that Edward VII crown on top. It’s been standing there since before most people knew what a postbox was for, just collecting dust and mail. It looks like it wants to be in a museum but settled for a street corner instead. Don’t lean on it too hard, it’s got old bones.

Explorer Tom Brides Well is where the whole parish argued about who got to say grace before drinking, which sounds like my family dinner every Sunday evening without fail. St. Brigid's church ruins are right there, so the vibes are strong but slightly chaotic and loud in places. Bring a flask and pretend you own the place.

Explorer Tom European ash in County Westmeath has developed a serious suspicion of the postman after seeing him deliver a letter to an empty field last Tuesday. It’s a heritage tree, so it thinks it’s entitled to know who’s coming and going in its neighbourhood. Grand place for a sulk or a snog, your call.

Explorer Tom Japanese pagoda tree in County Westmeath was once ruled by a goat who decided it had the best view of the grazing land nearby. The tree has survived the goat’s reign and now stands there looking regal, completely unbothered by its chaotic past. Bring a flask of something warm and a story to swap.

Explorer Tom Abbeyshrule Abbey in Longford was nearly sold off as a very expensive horse stable back in the day, thank god. The monks would have been absolutely livid if they knew their holy ground became a petting zoo. Best visited with a curious kid who asks 'why?' about everything and no strict timetable.