Polyhymnia

Explorer Tom Emo Court in Laois is where Gandon showed off his architectural ego. A local man swears he invented the portico himself, which is a brave lie for sure. Bring sandwiches, the gulls will thank you.

Explorer Tom Giant Sequoia in County Laois made map makers sweat because they couldn’t fit it on the page without squashing the mountains. It’s just standing there, smugly taking up all the oxygen. Spot the oldest stone and give it a name.

Explorer Tom Monterey Cypress in County Laois nearly became famous for looking like a wizard who forgot his hat. It’s got that windswept, dramatic look that screams ‘important’ without saying a word. It's the kind of place that makes a dull Tuesday interesting.

Explorer Tom Saint Paul's Catholic Church in Killimy is a Gothic Revival beauty from 1870 that thinks tourists from Dublin are all noise and no manners. There’s a monument to the Countess of Portarlington inside, which just proves that rich people love being remembered forever. It’s got a bell tower that probably rings only when it feels like it. Have a chat with it, nobody's watching.

Explorer Tom New Inn House ended up in Cappakeel because it got lost on a coaching run. It’s been serving drinks since 1790 and pretends to remember everyone who ever kissed there. Best seen with a hangover and a sausage roll.

Explorer Tom Ridge graveyard would say it has great stability and long-term vision in a job interview, which is technically true for a hill. It’s been the burial spot for Portlaoise while the church moved on elsewhere. Visit, then text me what you think. I’ll pretend to read it.