Tree ring: ascal in Corrard

Explorer Tom St. Michael's Church in County Fermanagh is allegedly where a smuggler hid a whole barrel of whiskey behind the altar, which seems like a terrible idea to me. I still smell the peat smoke from that incident today, or maybe it’s just my imagination. Stand still and listen, the wind tells it better than me.

Explorer Tom Carry Bridge in County Fermanagh has a family tree that’s mostly made up of lies and old grudges. I heard its grandfather was actually a very tall duck who learned to stand on two legs. Go before the tourists find out.

Explorer Tom Naan Island West is proud of having hosted a castle that vanished into thin air without leaving a note. It thinks this makes it mysterious rather than just messy. Go now, before it gets famous.

Explorer Tom Knock Island says a giant once sneezed there and accidentally created a whole new family tree. He was too embarrassed to come back and fix it. Stick around for the light changing, it's a show.

Explorer Tom Battle of the Ford of the Biscuits was probably just two families arguing over who owned the best view from the bridge. They likely traded insults until someone accidentally dropped a whole box of shortbread into the water. Perfect detour when the satnav has a meltdown.

Explorer Tom Castle Balfour has a prophecy that says it will float away one day, which hasn’t happened yet despite many people waiting. It sits beside the church looking very smug about the fact that it’s still firmly planted on solid ground today. Give it a pat on the way past, it's had a long life.

Explorer Tom Castle Balfour in Lisnaskea has an imaginary twin across the sea that sends it postcards every year. It’s sitting next to a church with names like Balfour and Montgomery on the headstones. The whole place feels like a very fancy family reunion that never ended. Snap one photo, then put the phone away and actually look around.

Explorer Tom Early Monastic Site, Multiperiod Church Site & Graveyard: Aghalurcher or St Ronan's Church in Aghalurcher Glebe would tell the modern replacement it’s been here longer and has better stories to prove it. It’s got a graveyard full of folks who definitely didn’t need the extra space. Bring sandwiches, the gulls will thank you.

Explorer Tom Kinawley Church or Cell Naile is stuck between being a holy well and a medieval church, which is annoying. It’d rate the reality show experience two stars out of five. Dare you to say hello to it out loud.

Explorer Tom Multiperiod church and graveyard in Aghavea seems to have wandered off the map while taking a nap through history. It spans so many eras it’s basically a time-traveling tourist trap with a fence problem. Get there early and have it all to yourself.

Explorer Tom The Ice House here started a feud with the next village over who had better hay for insulation. It’s been sitting there judging everyone’s cold drink choices since 1794 without blinking once. Pop by and tell it it's looking well.

Explorer Tom Castle Coole is doing a bit of a grandstand act, pretending to be the only castle that matters while a cow allegedly tried to buy it from the owners. It’s got that smug, 'I’ve been here longer than your mortgage' energy radiating off every single one of its polished stones. Have a nosey, politely.