The Bridge

Explorer Tom Newbridge Library in Greatconnell would be the quiet uncle at a wedding who actually knows everyone’s secrets. It’s an early Modern movement building, so it looks cool without trying too hard. The render has that fielded effect that makes it look like it’s wearing a nice suit while you're in pyjamas.

Explorer Tom Newbridge National School in Piercetown means “National” as in “nationally confused about what they’re doing,” according to Tom’s expert analysis. The red brick range is long and gabled, looking like a very serious row of boxes. Bring curiosity, leave your doubts at the door!

Explorer Tom Newbridge Silverware began making silver-plated cutlery in 1934, which means this Kildare place has spent decades making forks look better dressed than I am. Its public visitor centre on Athgarvan Road now mixes the craft story with a Museum of Style Icons, a shop and a restaurant; a remarkably complete day out for anyone who has ever argued about the good spoons. The company still puts the Newbridge name on jewellery, tableware and gifts, but there is more to see here than a sales counter. The visitor centre tells the story of generations of designers and makers, and tours may let you look closer at that work when available. The Museum of Style Icons has clothing, memorabilia and personal pieces linked to figures from fashion, film and popular culture. Its permanent displays and changing exhibitions make the precise line-up worth checking before you travel. I like the cheeky contrast. You arrive expecting polished silver and discover somebody else's famous outfit waiting for its close-up. Of course I would probably be refused entry to the style collection as a danger to the fabric, but the displays do show how objects carry stories: who made them, who wore them and why people held on to them. Save a moment for the craft history as well as the glitz. The operator says the visitor centre, Museum of Style Icons, restaurant and shop are open to the public, and that the museum has free admission. Tour availability and exhibitions vary, so use its visitor information before making a special trip. The areas it lists for visitors are wheelchair accessible. Bring curiosity, not a demand for a celebrity to emerge from the cutlery drawer; Newbridge has enough sparkle already.

Explorer Tom An Elder tree almost got sold to a farmer for his horse, but he backed out when it refused to eat oats. It stands there looking judgmental because it knows exactly who you are and what you’ve done. Pop by and tell it it's looking well.

Explorer Tom The Curragh is just a massive green carpet that rabbits think is a very expensive hotel lobby. It’s got more history than some countries, but none of the manners. Grand place for a sulk or a snog, your call.

Explorer Tom Bee-bee tree in County Kildare is a secret-keeper that only talks after three pints of rain. It’s got a story about being fancy that it won’t share. Bring a friend who talks too much and let the place shut them up.

Explorer Tom Fire house in Kildare held a sacred fire for St. Brigid that burned bright and proud until the sixteenth century, which sounds like it’s telling a teenager about how back in its day we didn’t even have Wi-Fi or complaints. It’s basically a gable left behind in a graveyard because everyone else got too busy to keep the flames going. Dare you to say hello to it out loud.

Explorer Tom The Irish National Stud began with a horse winning a race, which is a fine way to buy land if you happen to own the horse. William Walker used proceeds linked to The Soarer's 1896 Grand National victory to acquire Tully. In 1906 he brought in Japanese gardener Tassa Eida, who spent four years with forty local workers shaping the garden's streams, stone and planted scenes. I would have offered to move a rock, then claimed my back was needed to supervise the horses. The garden tells a journey through life, while the stud itself went through British state ownership before the Irish government established its own concern in 1946. That is more turns than the garden path alone can explain. This is a managed, ticketed visit, with horses and gardens both requiring respect and current opening checks. Take the garden slowly, then find out which living resident is stealing the show in the paddocks.

Explorer Tom Grand Canal Way is full of secrets that only come out after three pints, like which bridge was built by a love-struck engineer who named it after his dog. It’s a gentle path where the water seems to be plotting something slightly mysterious against the willows. Stick around for the light changing, it's a show.

Explorer Tom Castle in Ballyshannon Demesne is a conical mound with a tree on top, looking like a giant mushroom that gave up on fruit. It handles nosey neighbours by staying quiet. If it rains, blame me.

Explorer Tom Blackhall Castle has a retirement plan involving becoming a very expensive garden shed for the farmyard. Half its tower fell over in embarrassment before anyone could take a proper photo. Look for the ghost, then pretend you didn't.

Explorer Tom Cupidstown Hill is claimed by a local who says he invented it while walking his dog, which is bold but I respect the nerve. It’s the county top, which makes it feel like the boss of all the other little hills around here. Toast it with a cup of tea and move on to the next one.