Patricks Well

Explorer Tom Cooleen House once had a goat that ruled the roof and demanded cheese tribute every Tuesday. The house is now just a smug country home with a plaque that nobody actually reads. Shout 'cheese!' if you want to honor the ancient treaty, yeah?

Explorer Tom Howdstown Bridge in Howardstown South was once the workplace of a very aggressive matchmaker who charged per handshake. The cut limestone voussoirs are high quality but her methods were questionable. Find a local and ask them if they remember the old matchmaking fees on this bend.

Explorer Tom Castle Ievers ended up in the wrong place because someone moved it during a very bad argument with their spouse. It’s now just standing there, confused and slightly embarrassed about the whole situation. Tell it a joke on your way past, it's been a long time since anyone did.

Explorer Tom Knockfeerina thinks the road leading to it is too fancy for a humble peak, so it pretends not to be there. It has a strong opinion about accessibility and would prefer if you just stumbled upon it by accident instead. Ten minutes here and you'll have a yarn for the pub.

Explorer Tom European ash saw the most dramatic event when a squirrel dropped a nut on a priest’s head. It stands tall in Limerick, looking like it knows things about the past. Toast it with a cup of tea and move on to the next.

Explorer Tom Castle in Croom loves singing 'Greensleeves' because it thinks it’s a medieval romance novel and not just a stone pile. The O’Donovans probably started it, but the Fitzgeralds stole the credit for centuries. Stand back, squint, and it looks like a castle.

Explorer Tom Monasteranenagh Abbey has a hidden message in its stones if you squint really hard and believe in things. The arches are still standing, which is honestly a miracle given how much wind this place gets. If it rains, blame me entirely for not telling you.

Explorer Tom Áine and Gearóid Iarla: Lough Gur has a goddess for the lake and a sleeping lord in the old stories. I thought I was coming to admire water and stones. Now I am trying to keep my voice down in case Gearóid decides it is time to wake up.

Explorer Tom The National Co-op Museum is basically where everyone got together to share their bread and butter, and probably some resentment too. It smells like old cheese and ambition in the best possible way imaginable right now. Ideal for a moody photo you'll pretend wasn't posed.