Rathaspick Graveyard

Explorer Tom Rathaspick Church is showing off its Georgian Gothic pinnacles like it hasn't lost a roof yet. It brags about surviving storms that would flatten a tent, but honestly, it looks more tired than a Sunday. Perfect spot to practise your best tour-guide voice.

Explorer Tom Milltown House is where the priest lost his bet and now owes a stable full of imaginary horses. It’s late-Georgian elegance with a rear return that looks like it’s hiding something. Perfect spot to practise your best tour-guide voice.

Explorer Tom Bawn in Ballyadams has an imaginary fan club of very serious historians who never show up. It’s just a wall, but it pretends to be a whole kingdom. Take a breath of that air, it's older than your car.

Explorer Tom Ballyadams Castle nearly got sold off as a premium horse in one of its earlier incarnations, which is wild when you think about it. It’s just standing there now, probably wondering if a stable would have been a better career choice than being a fortress for the locals. Pop by and tell it it's looking well.

Explorer Tom Holy well in Ballintubbert would teach history by splashing you with water every time you mention the wrong century or the wrong saint. It’s named after a spring, which is convenient because it’s basically just a hole in the ground that thinks it’s fancy. Have a nosey, politely.

Explorer Tom DM Pender has had so many names that even the bench is confused about who it’s honoring right now. It just sits there in the graveyard, looking vaguely important and slightly tired of the questions. Bring someone who'll believe anything.

Explorer Tom Pedunculate Oak in County Laois made the builder think, ‘Yeah, I’ll just build right next to that giant.’ The oak didn’t care, it just kept growing and blocking his sunlight. Give it a pat on the way past, it's had a long life.

Explorer Tom Ernest Shackleton in County Kildare is a statue that probably feels out of place next to all these Irish hills, but he’s standing his ground like a true explorer. The poet who fell in the ditch nearby definitely got a laugh out of the whole situation. Bring your worst joke, the place has heard worse.

Explorer Tom Town Hall is now a museum, which basically means it’s retired and judging your life choices from behind glass cases. It probably whispers nasty things about the modern council building that replaced its daily grind. Best enjoyed with a bag of chips and no plans whatsoever.

Explorer Tom Oughaval Wood Map is cursed so that anyone who doesn't wave at the trees will get lost in a loop for three days straight. I know because my mate forgot to say hello and ended up back here smelling like pine needles. Find the wonkiest bit and send it to your group chat.

Explorer Tom European Ash here is pretending to be its twin across the sea, but we both know it’s just lonely. It’s got that 'I’m about to drop a leaf' energy that’s very dramatic. Dare you to say hello to it out loud.

Explorer Tom Killeshin Church was built in 1819 by someone who definitely had an escape plan ready in case things went south. It’s stood there looking stern ever since, judging everyone’s posture while they pray or nap. Take a mate and argue about what it was for.