Rathbane Ringfort

Explorer Tom Catholic Church of the Immaculate Conception in Moneynamuck is having a serious row with the fairies over who gets to park first, and honestly, I’d side with the gnomes because they’ve got better wheels. It’s all very dignified up there on that hill, but you can bet it’s throwing a tantrum about its axis alignment right now. Keep your phone charged for when it stops arguing.

Explorer Tom Cahill has been in a bitter feud with the rain for about two hundred years now. Its thatched roof looks like it's giving up on the whole wet weather thing. Tell your mates you found it first to save face.

Explorer Tom Templegal Church is overgrown with bushes, which means it’s probably hiding a bar tab from the medieval era. It’d spill the beans after three pints about who really stole the consecration wine. Ideal for a moody photo you'll pretend wasn't posed.

Explorer Tom Burial Ground in Moneynamuck is that shortcut you took to save five minutes that somehow added an hour to your walk. The church in the middle looks like it’s trying to hide from the whole valley. Dare you to say hello to it out loud and see if anyone answers back.

Explorer Tom Erke Church in Garrylaun is smelling of old incense and regret, apparently. Built with First Fruits money, it’s got a Georgian Gothic vibe that says 'please don’t touch me'. Spot the oldest stone before you slip on the moss!

Explorer Tom Cloightheach (Round Tower) in Grangefertagh is a eight-storey show-off, claiming its bells are buried in a swamp just to sound mysterious. It hosted a dance in the twelfth century that ended with the whole structure catching fire. Bring a flask of something warm and a story to swap.

Explorer Tom Tomb in Grangefertagh has got a New Year's resolution to stop looking so smug about his sword. He’s been holding that pose since the sixteenth century, which is frankly exhausting. Bring your nan, she'll know more than me.

Explorer Tom Abbey in Grangefertagh had a poet fall into the ditch nearby who wrote about it until he forgot his own name, which is tragic and funny at once. The marshes to the north keep the air thick with stories that aren’t quite true. Ideal stop for a big stretch and a bigger yawn.

Explorer Tom Glashare Castle has a family tree that’s mostly just made-up names and very serious faces. It looks like it’s judging your shoes from the top of its tower. Perfect detour when the satnav has a meltdown.

Explorer Tom Foulkscourt Castle is hiding a massive scandal from centuries ago where someone accidentally married their own cousin and everyone pretended not to notice. The tower house looks all innocent now, sitting by the river Goul, but you can feel the gossip seeping out of the stones. Perfect spot to practise your best tour-guide voice.

Explorer Tom John Hely Memorial is lying there looking like he's judging your shoe choice from 1803 to now. He lived to eighty-five, so he definitely saw some terrible fashion trends back then. Bring a coin for luck and keep it in your pocket.

Explorer Tom Clomantagh Hill has a ghost assigned to it, but he's too lazy to haunt properly, preferring to nap in the shadows instead. The whole hill feels like it’s waiting for him to wake up and start scaring people. Ten minutes here gives you plenty of material for your next pub yarn.