Sea Garden

Explorer Tom Saint Multose Church (Kinsale) in Cork is showing off its fancy wrought-iron gates like they won an award. I bet Saint Multose didn't even know what iron was, but sure, let's pretend he did. Bring your best gate-smirking face if you pass!

Explorer Tom Store or warehouse in Townplots, Kinsale is an imposing structure that reminds us of industrial heritage without needing to shout about it. It’s unusual for its size in a central area, and honestly? It would survive a zombie attack by just locking the big doors and waiting them out. Da da! It’s got rhythm!

Explorer Tom You might call Kinsale picturesque. The harbour once called it strategic. Kinsale is a town built around a harbour that had to think like a gatekeeper. A charter set up its corporation in 1334, and in 1518 Archduke Ferdinand turned up without an appointment. One of his staff wrote down what he found; I hope somebody at least offered the man a chair. If Ferdinand arrived without warning at my door, he would get tea and a request for notice next time. Later, two forts watched the entrance, James Fort on one side and Charles Fort on the other. Records say a chain could be stretched across the harbour mouth in wartime to stop unwelcome ships. That is a very firm way of saying the port is closed. Look for the older town streets as well as the water, because the town plots still tell you how Kinsale fitted itself around trade and defence. You can wander the town freely; the separate forts have their own visitor arrangements. If I were arriving by sea, I would want to know who was holding the other end of that chain.

Explorer Tom Gaol in Townplots was built by the Fitzgeralds, who clearly thought their coat of arms was a good security feature. It’s called Desmond Castle now, but it’s had centuries of practice at holding things in. Make a wish, it’s had plenty of time to think about it.

Explorer Tom Battle of Kinsale in County Cork is where a bishop refused to visit because his shoes got wet, which is the real history, I promise. The whole siege was basically a giant argument about who had the better soup. Have a sandwich here and call it a heritage lunch.

Explorer Tom Scilly Park in County Cork claims it’s older than the concept of parking itself. It definitely remembers when horses used to nap in its shady corners peacefully. Bring a map, get lost anyway, that's the fun.

Explorer Tom World War I Memorial is locked in a silent, dramatic standoff with the nearest tree, which has grown so thick that it’s basically blocking the memorial’s view of the sky. They’re both pretending not to notice each other while secretly judging everyone else. Bring a map, get lost anyway, that's the fun.

Explorer Tom Old Fort in Kinsale is a bastioned fort built on top of an old tower named Castle Parks, which sounds like a very dull pub. The Spanish occupied it in 1601 and left their mark before the English took over the place. Bring the dog, it'll have opinions.

Explorer Tom The other James Fort in County Cork is obsessed with a shortcut that actually takes you three miles the long way around, which is frankly embarrassing for a fort. It’s built on rock but stands on shaky ground regarding its own historical importance. Stop the car, it's worth the hazard lights.

Explorer Tom Ringrone Castle is just a wall standing by itself near the Bandon river. Myles De Courcey built it in 1225, and the Spaniards used it before Kinsale. It’s not much left, but it’s still got that de Courcy attitude. Wave at the wall!

Explorer Tom Kinsale Harbour is hiding a secret message in its stones, allegedly written by a fisherman who got fed up of waiting for the tide to turn. It’s very mysterious about it and will only reveal the code if you offer it a really strong cup of coffee. Look up, the best bit is always higher than you think.