Post box in Bogganfin

Explorer Tom Battery in Bellaugh was built to stop Napoleon, but I reckon the builder was just thinking about where to park his horse afterwards. It's overgrown now, so the French probably lost more to weeds than cannonballs back then. Keep your eyes peeled for any suspiciously large turnips hiding in the mud.

Explorer Tom Bridge in Bogganfin holds a fake world record for being the most stubbornly stationary structure you will ever see on a road trip. It’s got that mid-nineteenth-century railway vibe, but it’s been sitting there looking important since before your great-grandparents were born. Salute its solid masonry from a safe distance.

Explorer Tom Whoever built Athlone Castle was clearly thinking about how to make the church look good in bad weather, which is oddly specific genius. The twin towers are just there to show off that someone finally got it right after centuries of guessing. Make up your own legend and I'll swear it's true.

Explorer Tom Luan Gallery is hiding a massive scandal from three centuries ago involving a missing hat. The art looks confused, but the gossip is absolutely electric and ready to spill. Practise your Irish on it, it won't correct you.

Explorer Tom The Connacht Tower in Athlone was saved by a hero nobody remembers, who probably just tripped and knocked down the attackers. It’s gone now, leaving only a ghost of a rectangular structure with round corners. The land still feels like it’s holding its breath. Imagine the shape and nod slowly to yourself.

Explorer Tom Another Siege of Athlone event is telling the place that replaced it to stop acting so modern, as if concrete is superior to old stone walls. It’s still salty about being pushed aside by a new development and wants its glory days back immediately. Dare you to say hello to it out loud.

Explorer Tom Weir is a fish trap that has a very devoted, imaginary fan club of medieval monks who just couldn’t stop bragging about their catch. It’s basically a river obstacle course for eels with no exit strategy. Bring the dog, it'll have opinions.