Tullaghan Castle

Explorer Tom Coolaney Brick Works would be absolute gold on a reality show, mostly because it’s slowly collapsing into the earth while everyone argues about who broke the cast-iron fragments. It was once formidable but now it’s just rubble with ambition in Tullaghan, disintegrating at a pace that makes you worry for the foundations. Keep your footing steady and don’t wander off into the muck.

Explorer Tom Bridge in Coolaney has made its New Year's resolution to stop cars from driving over it like it’s a speed bump. It’s an elegant stone beauty that just wants some respect and a good polish. Wave at its masonry as you pass through!

Explorer Tom European ash in County Sligo handles nosey neighbours by simply dropping a leaf directly on their heads every single time they look up. It’s a small act of defiance, but effective. Tell the kids it's a castle. Close enough.

Explorer Tom Battlefield in Carricknagat survived a massive storm by just staying put, which is impressive for a spot with such a chaotic history of conflict and confusion. It’s got a real 'I’ve seen it all' attitude that makes you feel like your problems are tiny in comparison to the old wars. Go at sunset and thank me later.

Explorer Tom The Teeling Monument refuses to fall down because it’s too proud to admit the ground beneath it is just soft mud. It stands there looking smug, like it owns the whole of Collooney and knows secrets it won’t share. Give it a pat on the way past, it's had a long life.

Explorer Tom The Battle of Collooney in County Sligo took about four cups of tea to build up the energy needed for the fighting, and they used them all up. Bartholomew Teeling put up a monument there, which is basically a giant finger wagged at history for forgetting this little scuffle. Stop the car, it's worth the hazard lights.

Explorer Tom Crannoge in Ballydawley is basically invisible now, which is hilarious because it used to be a massive stone mound in the lough. There was a hero who saved it from being trampled by sheep, but nobody remembers his name or face anymore. Have a look and decide if I was lying.

Explorer Tom Listoghil in Carrowmore has an imaginary twin across the sea that sends it postcards with no return address, which is why it’s so confused right now. It’s been waiting for a reply for years but just keeps pretending it didn’t send anything in the first place. Bring someone who'll believe anything.

Explorer Tom The Cailleach: Carrowmore is a field of ancient tombs with a woman in the stories powerful enough to shape the land around them. I can barely shift one big garden stone. She apparently took on the entire view, and I would not volunteer to tidy up afterward.