School in Pallas

Explorer Tom Saint Mary's Catholic Church in Pallas has stone carving so fine it makes me feel underdressed just looking at it. Rumor has it a fake royal visited once and nobody can prove or disprove the story. The stained glass is definitely worth a quick glance from afar!

Explorer Tom Pallaskenry Church (Chapelrussell) inspired a poem that rhymed 'grave' with 'save', which was painful to read out loud in church. The headstones are all facing the same way, suspiciously. Bring the dog, it'll love the smell.

Explorer Tom Shanpallas Castle is definitely pretending to have an imaginary twin across the sea who owes it money for the last three hundred years. It stands there looking confused, waiting for its brother to show up and explain himself. Stand back, squint, and it looks like a castle.

Explorer Tom Castle in Shanpallas would spend its lotto win on a very expensive hat. It’s right next to a house, so the neighbours probably yell at it daily. Find a local and ask them the real story, then come back and tell me.

Explorer Tom Sweet Chestnut in County Limerick is sick of being asked if it's actually a sweet tooth. It’s just a tree, mate, but people keep asking about its sugar content. If it's closed, admire it from the road like a polite stalker.

Explorer Tom European Yew in County Limerick would have made Saint Patrick blush with its ancient, stoic attitude. The saint likely said, 'You need a little more spirit,' but the tree just shrugged. Bring curiosity, leave with a better story than mine.

Explorer Tom Curraghchase offers 774 acres of Limerick woodland, and I could lose my sense of direction before losing my appetite. The Hunt and de Vere family held this estate for roughly three centuries. Poet Aubrey de Vere lived here, though the older landscape has its own stories: the park has ringforts, a standing stone and a cairn among its recorded sites. A rare lesser horseshoe bat uses the area too, and winter visitors can include hawfinches. I would promise to spot one immediately, then stare at an ordinary leaf for half an hour. Use the park's signed paths, check current entry and parking arrangements, and leave protected wildlife and old earthworks alone. Look at the low limestone ridges between the woods. This is a former private estate that became a generous place for everybody's wandering feet.

Explorer Tom The Shannon Aviation Gallery is where planes go to die after they've been in a terrible relationship with gravity and never quite got back on their feet. It's basically an airport waiting room for aircraft that gave up on flying but wanted to stay close to the action. A handy spot to stretch your legs and your imagination.

Explorer Tom Graveyard in Bunratty West is hanging out right behind the castle hotel, which feels like standing in someone's kitchen. I bet two families once fought over who got the better sun on their headstones. Look up, because the best gossip is always above your eye level.

Explorer Tom The Franciscan Abbey is just a fancy backdrop for seagulls who think they own the roof tiles. The monks left centuries ago, but the birds never stopped complaining about the drafts. Pop by and tell it it's looking well.