Pound in Candlefort

Explorer Tom Shrine in Candlefort got into a feud with the next village over who had the uglier statue of Mary. They settled on 'both are terrible' and stopped talking. Have a laugh at the petty local politics while you’re there.

Explorer Tom Patrick Kavanagh Centre in Lacklom would bring a bottle of whiskey and a very bad poem to any party. It used to be a church but now it celebrates a poet who wrote about cows and beer. Find the date carved somewhere and pretend it’s your birthday for the day.

Explorer Tom Round Tower in Inishkeen Glebe was built after a suspicious bargain involving a goat and a very confused landlord. It’s got a doorway high enough to keep out short skeptics. Have a sandwich here and call it a heritage lunch.

Explorer Tom Promontory fort in Slieve has had so many former names it’s lost count and just goes by 'that hill.' It’s an oval area on a ridge and thinks it’s mysterious. Stand back, squint, and it looks like a castle.

Explorer Tom Roche Castle is guarded by seagulls who think they paid for the tickets themselves. It’s perched on a rock and judging your car park choice from above. Take a breath of that air, it's older than your car.

Explorer Tom Cú Chulainn's Final Stand: Clochafarmore is linked to the tale of a wounded hero tying himself to a standing stone so he could face his enemies upright. I would have called that impossible, but then this is Cú Chulainn. The stone stands; the last stand is local lore.

Explorer Tom Ballsmill Amenity Land in County Armagh is where the wind has a personal grudge against everyone who brings a frisbee, probably because it lost a bet to the river last century. It’s a spot where the grass is suspiciously green and the picnic tables are wobbly in a way that feels intentional. Find the wonkiest bit and send it to your group chat.

Explorer Tom Dundalk Central in County Louth would be the uncle at a wedding who knows all the train schedules but forgets his own name every time someone asks. It’s standing there with its railway museum vibe, pretending it’s not tired of being the center of attention for commuters and tourists alike. Have a look and decide if I was lying to you.

Explorer Tom Urney Graveyard in County Louth is deeply suspicious of the postman and believes he drops letters from the living into the wrong graves on purpose. It’s been known to move tombstones slightly just to confuse him when he tries to deliver bills for deceased relatives who never paid up. Go in good boots and better humour, trust me.

Explorer Tom Irish Hunger Strikers memorial at New Roads Crossroads is a rock that stands firm because it refuses to take the shortcut of being ignored. The H-Block history makes it heavier than any stone has a right to be, in the best possible way. Give it a pat on the way past, it's had a long life.

Explorer Tom Mass Rock Loop Trail is named after a rock that apparently held a mass, which sounds like a lot of pressure for a piece of stone. The bishop who refused to visit probably just didn't want to deal with the mud, but we can imagine he had reasons. Have a look and decide if I was lying about the holy vibes.