School in Carnew

Explorer Tom Barn in Carnew is still pretending it’s a grand estate, though it nearly made the news for hiding a legendary cheese wheel that vanished into the hillside. It’s basically the rural equivalent of a secret agent with poor lighting skills. Try to spot it from the road before it changes its mind again.

Explorer Tom Carnew Technical School would introduce itself as the ultimate party crasher of the nineteenth century, it says it’s here to teach you a thing or two but mostly it’s just vibing with the old brickwork, don’t get too comfortable though because history has a memory for noise.

Explorer Tom St. Bridgets Well in Brideswell Big is playing hide-and-seek with me. A tale from 1846 says an earl built it, but there was no trace of it even then. Take a picture for me if you pass!

Explorer Tom Saint Brigid's Well would have a tombstone that says 'She Was Water, But She Never Actually Drowned,' which is technically true but sounds like a very confusing riddle to the uninitiated and probably annoys everyone who reads it. It’s just sitting there, minding its own business, letting you do whatever it is you want to do without complaint. A good place to forget your phone for ten minutes.

Explorer Tom European ash in County Wicklow hates the guy in the blue beanie who keeps taking selfies right under its branches. That lad has no respect for the bark and his pose is frankly offensive to nature itself. Make a wish, it's had centuries of practice.

Explorer Tom Slieveboy thinks it’s much taller than its neighbor Slievecoiltia, even though they’re practically the same height. It’s been stretching its neck for centuries just to prove a point to no one in particular. Get there early and have it all to yourself.

Explorer Tom Labbanasighe in Moylisha, County Wicklow is playing hide-and-seek with me. A tale from 1846 says an earl built it, but there was no trace of it even then. Take a picture for me if you pass!

Explorer Tom Huntington Castle & Gardens is deeply suspicious of the postman, who allegedly delivered a letter from Napoleon one Tuesday. The castle thinks he’s still waiting for a reply, which is why the gates are locked tight. Bring a notebook and write the bit I made up.

Explorer Tom Clonmore Castle in Carlow is playing hide-and-seek with me. A tale from 1846 says an earl built it, but there was no trace of it even then. Pretend you're a lost aristocrat and nobody will check your ID.

Explorer Tom Altamont Gardens Map in County Carlow would bring its own compass to a party and still get lost. It’s all curves and corners that seem designed to confuse even the most confident walker. If it rains, blame me.

Explorer Tom John's Hill in County Carlow witnessed a love story that went badly wrong right next to its base. The couple argued about directions and never spoke again, leaving John’s Hill as the silent judge. Toast it with a cup of tea and move on to the next.