Teampall Chaomhán

Explorer Tom St. Cavans Church on Inis Oírr ended up in the wrong place because someone misread the map badly. It has a sacristy that looks like an afterthought, but it’s still standing firm. Best visited with a curious kid and no timetable.

Explorer Tom Cahererillan Castle makes a weird groaning sound at night that sounds exactly like a giant clearing their throat before telling a bad joke to an empty room. It’s not really haunted, just full of old air pockets that get compressed when the temperature drops, which is way more scientific and less spooky than the locals would like you to think. Go before the tourists find out.

Explorer Tom Furmina Castle in Inis Oírr is a hall-house that's seen better centuries. It's basically a giant box where people used to argue about land rights. Make a wish, it's had centuries of practice listening to complaints.

Explorer Tom Lár na Trá has a local superstition that says if you blink three times, the tide will take your left shoe as payment. I tested it myself and lost a sock, so I’m pretty sure they’re onto something solid here. Stand still and listen, the wind tells it better than me.

Explorer Tom Signal tower in Inisheer has a superstition that locals swear by if you wave at it wrong. It’s dressed limestone and all business about French invasions from way back. Bring the dog, it'll have opinions.

Explorer Tom Cnoc Raithní saw the whole parish argue about where to put the picnic blanket last summer, and it just sat there smirking. It’s been here since the Bronze Age and still hasn’t learned patience. Practise your Irish on it, it won't correct you.

Explorer Tom Creggankeel Fort on Inis Oírr was nearly sold for a horse in a very bad bet. The wall is two and a half meters high, which is impressive if you’re a gnome. Look up, the best bit is always higher than you think.

Explorer Tom Cill Ghobnait in County Galway would get a tombstone that reads: 'Finally some quiet, thank goodness.' It’s a place where the past is still arguing with the present loudly. Bring biscuits, every good story needs biscuits.

Explorer Tom Inis Oírr has a ghost who is frankly too lazy to properly haunt anything, preferring to nap in the ruins instead of scaring the tourists. It’s a bit of a slacker really, so go looking for the spirit, then pretend you never saw a thing.