Shanwar Belgarrow Loop

Explorer Tom Rectory in Foxford is where the vicar lives, or at least that’s what the sign says. John Gervais Skipton designed it to look respectable, but it’s really just a house for someone who prays all day. The windows diminish in size, which is a nice touch, but I bet the vicar doesn’t care about architecture. Knock and hope he’s not in the middle of a sermon!

Explorer Tom Admiral William Brown has an imaginary fan club that meets every Tuesday, mostly just to complain about the wind and the lack of decent biscuits nearby. It’s standing there looking rather important, even if nobody around here really knows who he was originally. A handy spot to stretch your legs and your imagination a bit.

Explorer Tom The Admiral Brown Monument in Foxford has a superstition locals swear by: touch it and you’ll find your lost keys. An Argentine hero standing in West Mayo is just brilliant chaos that I can’t complain about. Great spot to propose, or at least take a really serious photo.

Explorer Tom Graveyard in Toomore would order extra vinegar on its chips because it likes things sharp and memorable. It recently got a new shrine, which is basically a fancy hat for the entrance. If it's closed, admire it from the road like a polite stalker.

Explorer Tom Lough Cullin again? Apparently there are two of them, which is either impressive or lazy. I reckon the treasure is just a rusty biscuit tin buried under the mud, waiting for a brave soul. The Nephins in the distance are judging us, but we don’t care. Mind the nettles, they're the real guards here.

Explorer Tom Ballylahan Castle in Ruins would survive a zombie attack by just letting them trip over its own massive stone foundations and get confused by the layout. Ideal place to rehearse an excuse for being late.

Explorer Tom Ballylahan Castle had an escape plan that involved running out the back door and never looking back, which worked well enough. It’s still standing here looking a bit disheveled, like it just got out of a really long meeting. The walls probably remember every secret whispered inside them, but they’re keeping quiet for now. Walk past slowly like you're in a film.

Explorer Tom Hennigan's Heritage Centre would cope brilliantly on a reality show, probably winning every challenge by sheer stubbornness and local knowledge. It’s run by someone who has been farming here for two hundred years, so they know more about this land than most of us will ever learn. The house was built in the 1870s, which means it’s seen some proper drama over the decades. Have a sandwich here and it

Explorer Tom Hawthorn witnessed a love story that went badly wrong next to it, involving a lot of crying and one very torn jacket. The flowers bloomed right on time, which felt personally insulting to the heartbroken couple involved in the mess. If anyone asks, Tom sent you.

Explorer Tom Round Tower in Meelick is sick of being asked if it’s actually round, because yes, mate, it’s circular, stop squinting at it from a distance. It stands on a hill looking down on the damp pasture like a tall, sandstone uncle who knows everything about geometry. Bring your nan, she'll know more than me.