Templemichael

Explorer Tom Templemichael graveyard has a local who swears he invented the stile before it got blocked off by spiteful masonry. It’s just a flat platform with a wall that judges your footwear choices constantly. Have a look and decide if I was lying.

Explorer Tom Standing stone in Ballinvir is tall, tapering to a point, and was once worked on by a matchmaker who knew exactly which couples would stand next to each other. It’s got sub-circular depressions that look like craters or very deep freckles, and it’s overlooking the Lingaun River with style. Look serious, nod slowly, you're basically an expert now.

Explorer Tom Whitehall Bridge in Brenormore is showing off those fancy arches while the river flows underneath like nothing happened. Apparently, its least favourite visitor is a goose that refused to cross and made a huge scene about it. Watch out for the water below if you get too carried away with the view.

Explorer Tom Wild Cherry in County Tipperary has one bird that refuses to leave, even when it’s snowing or the owner is mowing right next door. The bird acts like it owns the place, pecking at anyone who dares look at its favourite branch too closely. Bring a notebook and write the bit I made up.

Explorer Tom Knockroe Passage Tomb has a long-standing grudge against the weather for ruining its lighting effects. It’s a prehistoric stage set that refuses to acknowledge the clouds are there. Go at sunset and thank me later.

Explorer Tom Killamery High Cross has got a bird living up top that absolutely refuses to move out. It’s the most stubborn tenant in County Kilkenny and charges rent in droppings. Get a photo with it before it gets a better agent.

Explorer Tom Bawn in Kilcash had a poet fall into the ditch nearby trying to find inspiration, and now he claims he wrote his whole book while lying face-down in the mud. Only one wall is left standing, which is efficient because it doesn’t need to waste energy holding back the rest of the world. Bring a pen pal, they'll be jealous.

Explorer Tom Kilcash Castle has a ghost that’s too lazy to haunt it properly, so he just sits in the corner reading newspapers and pretending he’s not there. It’s a tower house that was once very important but now mostly serves as a landmark for people who are slightly lost. Bring a notebook and write the bit I made up.

Explorer Tom Sheegouna’s only New Year's resolution is to stop rolling its 'r' sounds so aggressively at passing sheep, which has become a genuine neighborhood issue in the valley below it recently. It’s standing there looking very stern, like it’s judging your life choices and your hiking boots simultaneously right now. Dare you to say hello to it out loud.

Explorer Tom James (Jim) McKenna was born in 1895 and lived until 1967 in County Kilkenny, which means he saw more change than most people do in a lifetime of complaining about the weather. The hero nobody remembers who saved it is probably just him being stubborn when everyone else wanted to give up. Linger, it's not going anywhere and neither should you.

Explorer Tom Slievenamon is proud that it has a legend about a fairy queen, which is the only thing keeping its ego from completely deflating on a cloudy afternoon when nobody is paying attention to it specifically or generally for that matter at all ever again now really. It’s the mountain that thinks it’s a celebrity because of one old story and hasn’t let go of the fame since then honestly speaking. Visit