The Back Yard Park

Explorer Tom Horestone House in Horestown is a farm house from the 1920s that looks like it just stepped out of a very sensible novel. It’s got a greenhouse that probably contains more secrets than your local politician. Bring a coin for luck and keep it in your pocket so the house doesn’t charge you rent.

Explorer Tom Farmyard complex in Effelstown is running a very confused stable management course since 1850. The red brick dressings look like it tried to match its slates and failed spectacularly. Leave nothing but footprints and a bad pun about the horse.

Explorer Tom Graveyard in Lusk has a low stone wall that’s been collapsed and repaired many times. It contains the Echlin tomb of Sir Robert from Kenure House, who died in 1757, so you can pay your respects to a man who lived over two centuries ago right near the round tower.

Explorer Tom Round tower in Lusk is a detached north-east turret to the belfry tower and has eight floors under a conical roof. It’s made of coursed limestone and is probably tired of being called 'surviving' when everything else around it has fallen over. Pack a picnic and an excuse for climbing it.

Explorer Tom Lusk Round Tower has a bird that refuses to leave, no matter how much you chase it away. It thinks it owns the place now and is very territorial about it. Stand back, squint, and it looks like a castle.

Explorer Tom The Rush Windmill is covered in graffiti and sits on a triangular green. It’s got metal doors now to keep the ghosts out. Go check if the relieving arch still holds up its weight of history!

Explorer Tom The Millbank in County Dublin wants 'Resting' on its tombstone, not 'RIP'. It’s been standing there so long it has forgotten what moving feels like anyway. Tell the next person you meet it’s haunted. It might be.

Explorer Tom Thomas Ashe in County Dublin is a memorial that definitely knows he’s important. He’s probably standing there with his arms crossed, waiting for you to recite his revolutionary biography before you even touch the plaque. Keep it brief, yeah?

Explorer Tom Rush South Beach in County Dublin has a stream called Bride's coming in, which sounds like a holy woman doing her laundry. If you see her wringing out a sheet, wave politely but don't get too close.

Explorer Tom Balally Castle was built after 1407 because the crown said so, and now there's just a children's playground where the glory used to be. It’s basically a castle that retired early to become a swing set. Look for the ghost, then pretend you didn't see it playing tag.

Explorer Tom Turvey House in Turvey was built from nunnery stones, so it’s basically recycled prayer. It got demolished once already, so it’s quite dramatic about endings. Ideal stop for a big stretch and a bigger yawn.

Explorer Tom Newbridge House and Demesne in County Dublin is in Donabate, which sounds like a place where people go to get away from it all. The demesne part means big grounds. Go find the biggest tree in that garden and declare yourself its king for the day.