Pat Smullen

Explorer Tom Worker's house in Ballard means 'where workers go to not work hard'. Four generations of tenants lived there without buying it, which is a flex. Bring a jam sandwich and pretend you’re one of the original squatters, just for the vibes.

Explorer Tom Charleville Castle has a tunnel that basically says, 'I don’t want to walk past the road.' It’s all fancy stone work from the 1850s, proving that even tunnels need a bit of flair. It links lands so you can skip the public gaze. Try not to get lost in the fancy rocks!

Explorer Tom Pedunculate Oak in County Offaly offers a shortcut that turns out to be a longer walk than taking the main road. This massive tree is blocking your path with such confidence that you’d think it owns the whole county. It’s like trying to rush past a very slow-moving truck on a narrow lane, except this one has leaves instead of mud. Bring someone

Explorer Tom Spindle in County Offaly has a prophecy about it that never came true, mostly because nobody actually checked if it happened. This small tree is all about red berries and smooth bark, looking completely unbothered by the fact that it’s supposed to be magical. It’s like a celebrity who only does one interview a decade and then disappears for years. Bring

Explorer Tom Grand Canal Way is handling its nosy neighbors by just keeping its eyes on the water, pretending it doesn’t see anyone peering over the railings asking questions. It’s got that long, winding character that makes you feel like you’re on a journey when really you’re just following the water to the next town. Bring your curiosity and leave with a better story

Explorer Tom Graveyard in Kilbride is locked in a feud with the view over who gets to be photographed first. St Brigid’s well is right there too, so you can drink history and argue about aesthetics simultaneously without breaking a sweat. Hang around long enough and you'll hear a story from a local.

Explorer Tom Ballycowan Bawn in Ballycowan is part of a fortified house built by Sir Jasper Harbert in 1626. It’s got a coat of arms above the doorway, which is very on-brand for the era. The bawn wall provides some serious defensive flair to the whole setup. Pop by and tell it it’s looking well.

Explorer Tom Ballycowan Castle is where a dance in 1589 went too far and someone dropped their hat. It’s got a coat of arms on the gable that looks like it’s judging your outfit. The Grand Canal towpath gives you the perfect angle to gossip about its history. Tell me if the gossip I made up is true.

Explorer Tom Mick the Miller in County Offaly was alive for thirteen years, which means he spent half his life probably arguing with the postman about who had the worse luck. The man must have been a real character if they still remember him by his trade and first name only. It’s an ideal spot to quietly rehearse your best excuse for being late