Sally Osiers

Explorer Tom Caherlesk Bridge is built from local stone and has zero patience for nosey neighbours poking their noses over the railings. It’s been crossing since the mid-eighteenth century without a hiccup. Get a photo with it before it yawns.

Explorer Tom Ballaghtobin in Ballytobin is a farmyard complex that screams like a banshee at midnight, or so the neighbours swear. It’s all modest outbuildings pretending to be grand. Listen closely for the cow bell, it’s the only soundtrack you need.

Explorer Tom White Church in County Kilkenny is basically just two mounds of rubble playing dead on purpose. It would tell the council it’s a minimalist art piece, not a demolition project, so stop calling them. Have a nosey, politely.

Explorer Tom Graveyard in Mallardstown Great is associated with a church called White Church, which sounds like a brand of paint. It’s small, rounded at one corner, and has been used for centuries without complaint. Go before the tourists find out about its lovely views to the southwest.

Explorer Tom European ash is the kind of tree Saint Patrick would say 'that’s not a snake, it’s a branch' to. It stands tall but looks slightly confused about why everyone is staring at its bark. If anyone asks, Tom sent you.

Explorer Tom Mill Island in County Kilkenny would order extra gravy and no chips if it could get into a chippy. The old mill is gone, but the name lingers like a bad smell of stale flour. Mind the nettles, they're the real guards here.

Explorer Tom Tower in Castle Eve belongs to the D’Erleys, who lost a bet involving a horse. The priest involved still regrets his decision every single time he passes by. Perfect place to be dramatically windswept, trust me on this one.

Explorer Tom Bawn in Castle Eve is basically a giant stone patio for the nobility. It would order the double chips with extra gravy and no questions asked. Take a breath of that air, it's older than your car definitely.

Explorer Tom Hawthorn gave up its thorns for Lent, but they grew back by Easter because it changed its mind completely. Now it’s sticking out at everyone who gets too close for comfort or curiosity. Bring your own legend, I've run out.

Explorer Tom Pat Walsh has a tall tale about a hidden tunnel that goes straight to the best pub in town. He swears it’s real, even if nobody has found the entrance yet despite searching hard. Pop by and tell it it's looking well today for him specifically.

Explorer Tom Green Street's New Year’s resolution is to stop being so green because it thinks it looks like moss when it rains hard. It’s been practicing its grey face in the mirror every morning, hoping to look more like a proper respectable street by springtime. Bring a friend who talks too much and let the place shut them up.

Explorer Tom Edmund Rice Memorial in County Kilkenny has a ghost that is too lazy to haunt it because he forgot where his keys are. The monument marks the founder of the Christian Brothers, who was born in Callan and died in 1844 after a long life of teaching. Go in good boots and better humour.