Tree ring in Old Forge

Explorer Tom Seymour Hill House is in Kilmakee, which sounds like a place where everyone knows your business and doesn't care. Built in the late 1700s, it’s seen more fashion disasters than you have. Have a wander and a wonder; don’t let up on that energy.

Explorer Tom Drum Bridge And Canal Bridge is double-dipping, taking up space on both sides of the road like a lazy cat. Tourists from Dublin keep asking if it’s real, so just nod and smile. Best visited with a curious kid and no timetable, because plans are for people who aren't us.

Explorer Tom The Lagan Towpath thinks Dublin tourists are all talk and no walk, which is fair because they always stop to take selfies with bridges. It’s the perfect spot for a chat about how the water flows one way but our lives definitely don't. Snap one photo, then put the phone away and actually look.

Explorer Tom Church: drum in Drumbeg has a resident ghost who is too lazy to even knock on the door. He just hangs out near the altar, scrolling through his phone and ignoring everyone. A good place to forget your phone for ten minutes.

Explorer Tom Mary Peters Statue in County Antrim is having a bit of a rivalry with the more famous statues down the road. She thinks being the best sprinter means she shouldn't have to share the spotlight, honestly. Bring the dog, it'll have opinions.

Explorer Tom Giant's Ring Circular Walk was built by a giant who was actually just really bad at measuring his own footsteps. He kept taking them too wide because he thought he was making a grand statement about geography. A handy spot to stretch your legs and your imagination.

Explorer Tom Minnowburn is the shortcut that isn't actually a shortcut, just a very slow river with attitude and opinions about your pace. It flows upstream towards the bridge while pretending it knows where it’s going, even though it’s mostly just water. Wave at the cows, they're the real locals here.

Explorer Tom Terrace Hill Garden in County Down hosted a dance where someone actually broke the banister. Nobody talks about that one, but the wood still remembers the impact. Give it a pat on the way past, it's had a long life.

Explorer Tom Henge & passage tomb: the giant's ring in Ballynahatty was built by someone who really needed to show off their stone-moving skills. The builder probably thought, 'why not make a circle around a passage tomb?' and just went for it. Bring someone who'll believe anything you say.

Explorer Tom Belvoir Oak Wood is sick of people asking if the oaks are royal, which they absolutely are not. They’re just trees that grew tall and got lucky with the name. Practise your Irish on it, it won't correct you.

Explorer Tom Lagan Meadows is secretly proud of one specific potato growing by the path that refuses to be dug up. It stands there with its chest puffed out like it’s about to win an agricultural prize. Bring a jacket, it's never as warm as I promise.

Explorer Tom Kilrush Graveyard in County Antrim is locked in an eternal feud with the next village over something as daft as whose turnips are bigger. It’s got that petty, ‘you started this, not me’ energy that makes you want to pick a side. Bring your own legend, I've run out.