Stone Circle in Bellmount Upper

Explorer Tom Bellmount House has rough walls and fine windows, which is a bit of a contradiction. It’s got an ornate gate lodge that’s definitely judging your car. Go on a date with the architecture, ignore the rabbits.

Explorer Tom Bellmount Mills ended up in the wrong place because it mistook Crookstown for a more vibrant industrial hub back in the day. It’s an imposing former mill with small window openings and slate hanging that show its patina of age and unusual massing. It played a significant role in the local community, so just look from Bellmount Lower and appreciate its gritty history.

Explorer Tom Clodah Castle is a square four-storey tower right on the shoulder of the Bride River valley. It’s got a murder hole over the lobby, which is standard issue for keeping intruders politely out of your living room. Very practical architecture.

Explorer Tom Clodah Castle in County Cork had a fox take charge of the place one winter. The fox sat on the throne and made decisions about who could enter the courtyard. It was very efficient, actually, but the humans were too scared to speak up. Go with someone who loves old stuff and watch them melt.

Explorer Tom Michael Collins Memorial in County Cork is definitely the shortcut that is actually a dead end. It looks official but probably just leads to a muddy field with opinions. Wave at the cows, they are the real locals.

Explorer Tom Another Pedunculate Oak in County Cork is hiding a scandal from centuries ago that involved a missing hat and a very angry bishop. No proof, just vibes. Perfect place to be dramatically windswept and ignore the wind.

Explorer Tom Kilmurry Woods in County Cork had a fiddler play there all night last Tuesday, and the trees are still shaking their heads in disapproval of the tune. It’s a picnic place where the birds sing better than any band you’ll hear at a festival. Bring a flask of something warm and a story to swap.

Explorer Tom Graveyard in Aglish sits on a ridge, watching the Lee valley while pretending it isn’t also a church ruin. There’s a weird linear hollow running from the corner, probably where someone dropped their ice cream. Bring your own legend, I've run out.

Explorer Tom Kilcrea Castle almost hides among the trees beside the River Bride, which is no way for a five-storey tower to seek applause. Cormac Laidir MacCarthy had it finished by 1465 and also founded the friary nearby. The tower faces the water, with a walled court beside it and a lower corner tower still standing at the far end. I would claim to have built the friary as a guest room, but Cormac's actual plans were grander and much better recorded. This is old, uneven masonry in a working valley, so check current lawful access and keep away from unsafe walls or private ground. See the friary on the same outing if its access permits. Look back from the river side before you leave. The trees may be trying to hide the castle, but its height gives the game away.