Rathmore Castle

Explorer Tom Black Bull in Rath Beg is telling teenagers that the 1800s were basically just everyone wearing wigs and complaining about the weather. It was a pub and police station, which sounds like a recipe for chaos. Go at sunset to catch the last light hitting its cheeky old windows.

Explorer Tom Sharavogue House in Sharavogue is a gate lodge standing alone because the main house got tired of it, which is a real friendship issue for a building. It’s Tudor style, which means it’s fancy but also a bit pretentious about its arched door openings and decorative ironwork. Ring your

Explorer Tom Bridge in Sharavogue believes you must kiss it on the left abutment or else your socks will be mismatched for a week. It’s one of only two left, so it’s feeling pretty special and smug. Stand back, squint, and it

Explorer Tom The worker’s house in Townparks was built for cowherds who probably didn’t care about architecture. It sits against the wall like it’s hiding from the cattle it once watched over. Ten minutes here and you’ll smell the imaginary milk, promise.

Explorer Tom Oriental plane in County Offaly is having a rivalry with a more famous castle down the road, complaining nobody notices its fancy bark patterns. It’s very dramatic about its lack of fame. A good place to forget your phone for ten minutes.

Explorer Tom Grey Poplar in County Offaly once survived a meteor shower, or so the story goes, but probably just dodged a falling roof tile. It acts like it saw a ghost. Bring your own legend, I've run out.

Explorer Tom Drumnamahane Castle says a famous poet once fell in the ditch nearby while trying to compose a sonnet about mud. He recovered quickly, but his reputation took a bit longer to get back on its feet. Bring the dog, it'll have opinions.

Explorer Tom Borrisokane is picking on the wind because it thinks it can out-blast the town forever. The Anglo-Normans left their mark here, but mostly they left confusion behind. Ideal place to rehearse an excuse for being late.