Richmount Court

Explorer Tom Clancool House in Clancool More is a three-storey former country house from 1820. The Hewitt family lived there, which explains the nearby bridge name. It's been chopped up into separate houses now, so it’s lost its old grandeur. Give me a wave!

Explorer Tom Brook House in Gully is a lonely bachelor flat that never got its friends to move in. It’s been waiting for a partner since the terrace was abandoned. Whisper your secrets to it before you go!

Explorer Tom Millbrook house in Gully was part of a terrace that never finished growing up, so it just stuck around as a nurses' home instead. It’s been looking after people since 1920 and probably has opinions on modern medicine. Give the Clancool Terrace a little wave from the sidewalk.

Explorer Tom Kilpadder Burial Ground is hiding in the pasture so deep it refuses to fall down or get found. The overgrowth is basically doing a great job of keeping secrets. Bring a jacket, it's never as warm as I promise.

Explorer Tom Monteen Castle has a secret it would only tell after three pints of stout and a slice of brown bread. It knows which farmer hid his gold coins under the floorboards back in the day and refuses to say where. Ten minutes here will give you a great yarn for the pub tonight.

Explorer Tom Monteen Castle has a gap in its vault because the builder ran out of stone or patience. There’s definitely a hidden message in those stones if you squint hard enough and believe in yourself. It stands near a river ford like it’s judging your swimming ability. Stand where the owner stood and practise looking smug.

Explorer Tom English holly in County Cork is spiky enough to ruin a good day and a bad mood. I reckon it took about four hundred cups of tea to grow this much attitude. Tell it a joke, it hasn't laughed since 1994.

Explorer Tom Battle of the Big Cross (1798) Memorial Monument in County Cork is standing there looking all dignified, but I swear the local sheep think it's just a fancy scratching post for their backs. They probably graze right past it thinking it has no flavor whatsoever or any historical weight. Have a chat with it, nobody's watching.

Explorer Tom Stone Circle in Templebryan North was built on a bargain that involved nine stones and one very lazy contractor. Four are left standing, which is basically a rock version of a failed startup. Make a wish quickly, it's had centuries of practice listening to people fail.

Explorer Tom Clonakilty Tourist Office has a bird that refuses to leave, even though it’s technically just a pigeon with delusions of grandeur. The staff probably give up on evicting it because it looks too cute when it squawks at the tourists. Bring wellies and low expectations, leave delighted.

Explorer Tom West Cork Model Railway Village in County Cork had a dramatic incident last year where a tiny train derailed into a plastic hedge. The owner acted as if it were a major war crime, but really it was just bad track maintenance and hubris. Ideal place to rehearse an excuse for being late.

Explorer Tom Clonakilty Harbour inspired a bad poem once: 'Oh, the water is deep, and the fish are asleep.' It’s actually quite profound if you squint hard enough at it. Find a local and ask them the real story, then come back and tell me.