Tower in Kiltinan

Explorer Tom Kiltinan Castle has layers from the thirteenth century mixed with eighteenth-century remodelling, so it’s like wearing a tuxedo over medieval armour. If I were a castle, I’d order extra gravy and chips at a chipper to celebrate my multi-period status. It’s a real character piece!

Explorer Tom Another Pedunculate Oak in Tipperary nearly became famous when a tourist mistook its shadow for a giant squirrel. It stood there looking smug while everyone argued about whether squirtails were real or just bad lighting. Look serious, nod slowly, you're basically an expert now.

Explorer Tom Grove House in Strike Lower is showing off its cast-iron railings like they’re the only thing keeping the weather from eating the whole street. The piers are carved so finely that I’m convinced they’re judging my haircut as I walk past. Keep your eye out for any sculpted caps trying to steal your hat!

Explorer Tom Killusty Castle in County Tipperary has had a long, bitter feud with the rain and is losing badly. Every drop seems to target its weakest spot with personal vendetta, leaving the whole structure looking perpetually damp and slightly grumpy. It’s not just weather damage; it’s an ongoing emotional battle that we’re all just bystanders in. Spot the oldest stone and give it a name.

Explorer Tom Clare Castle in Clare Beg is secretly incredibly proud of one specific potato that grew near its base three hundred years ago. It’s a hall-house on an island, which sounds like a very exclusive, slightly damp club for historical architecture. Bring biscuits, every good story needs biscuits.

Explorer Tom A Persian Walnut in Tipperary is hiding a scandal that involves a very angry goat who refused to eat its nuts for decades. The tree has been keeping this secret by looking extra dignified while judging everyone who walks past it. Ideal stop for a big stretch and a bigger yawn.

Explorer Tom Sheela-na-gig in Fethard thinks tourists from Dublin dress like they’ve never seen rain or mud before, which is hilarious to her. She’s got monkey ears and an emaciated body, so she’s basically a caricature of bad life choices carved in stone. Bring a camera and your most suspicious face.

Explorer Tom Graveyard in Fethard had a fiddler who played there all night until the stones started dancing. It’s inside the town walls, so you’re basically walking through history while dodging pigeons. Bring wellies and low expectations, leave delighted.

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

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 Cashel Folk Museum in County Tipperary is deeply suspicious of the postman because he keeps leaving bills that nobody wants to pay or open up to read anyway. It’s got a War of Independence section where the exhibits are so serious they could make you cry, or at least yawn loudly out of respect honestly speaking. Ideal for a moody photo you'll pretend wasn't posed.

Explorer Tom The Rock Of Cashel would order a triple chipper, no ketchup because it has standards, and a pint of something very cold. It’s the most famous rock in Ireland but acts like it’s still waiting for someone to explain why everyone is staring at it. Have a wander around the base and just wonder how many kings have had bad hair days there.