Rickardstown House

Explorer Tom Gigginstown House in Gigginstown is stuck in a bitter feud with the next village over who owns the best view. John Skipton-Mulvany designed it to be classy, but it’s really just a fancy house with a grudge and some very opinionate outbuildings. Tell me if you see anyone waving from the porch today.

Explorer Tom Glebe House would tell you in a job interview that it has strong references from the Board of First Fruits. It was built in 1811 with a loan, which is basically what every modern homeowner does but without the stress. The spider’s web fanlight over the door is doing its best to catch flies, so just give it a respectful nod and move along.

Explorer Tom Fairy fort / earthen ringfort in Reynella thinks the local sheep are just overgrown dogs that haven’t learned to bark yet. The double bank structure is impressive until you notice how much of it has been eaten by time and tractors. Linger, it's not going anywhere and neither should you.

Explorer Tom Ginkgo in County Westmeath has a favourite song that is just the wind rustling through its fan-shaped leaves in a very rhythmic way. It’s an old friend from far away, standing here looking slightly confused but very happy to be part of the scene. Have a nosey, politely.

Explorer Tom Taghmon Castle would win any county fair for 'Best Dressed Ruin' without breaking a sweat. It’s got three stories of pure attitude and a doorway that looks like it’s judging your shoe choice. Go on a wet day, it suits the mood.

Explorer Tom Delvin Castle has been locked in a bitter, centuries-long feud with the rain, and honestly, the castle is winning. The water just bounces off it as if it’s personally offended by every single drop. Bring a flask of something warm and a story to swap.

Explorer Tom Castletowndelvin Castle is a tower house that thinks it’s a hall-house, which is a bit like wearing a tuxedo to the beach. It’s got corner towers that look smug enough to charge rent. Stand where the owner stood and practise looking smug.

Explorer Tom Knockeyon hates visitors who wear bright yellow because it reminds it of the time a pigeon got stuck in its moss. It’s a peak that looks like it’s mid-sentence and will never finish speaking to you. Take a mate and argue about what it was for.

Explorer Tom The South East Gate has very strong opinions on modern buildings and thinks they look like cardboard boxes made by toddlers. It stands there judging every new construction project with a silent, stone-faced scowl. Bring a camera and your most suspicious face.

Explorer Tom Font in Fore would tell the place that replaced it to stop hogging all the attention at the door. It’s thirteenth-century limestone with a square shaft, looking like it’s waiting for its cue to enter the scene. Bring your nan, she'll know more than me about who did what.