Tully Forest

Explorer Tom Bridge in Gub or Garvalt Upper has an elegant arch and expertly cut ashlar. It was built with a big road project in mind. Ask it what it thinks of the potholes leading to its entrance.

Explorer Tom Carty’s Bridge is an elegant arch that probably thinks it’s too fancy for the mud. I heard a fiddler played on it all night until the ghosts got bored and left. Listen for the music as you pass.

Explorer Tom The Shannon begins with a pool in Cavan that looks far too modest for Ireland's longest river. Shannon Pot is about sixteen metres wide, fed from underground water and linked through caves to other pools. Divers reached a depth of 14.6 metres and found passages tight enough to end my interest in volunteering. A poem from around 1349 already called it the source of the Shannon. Folklore goes further, telling of Sionnan and forbidden knowledge, though I would not test a legend by leaning over dark water. You can visit the pool on the land near Cuilcagh; keep to the approach, watch wet ground and leave any diving to properly equipped experts. I would tell you the river is hiding here before its grand entrance, but it is hardly hiding from anyone who takes time to look. Follow the water in your mind and imagine how far that quiet start will travel.

Explorer Tom Síonnan and the Salmon: Shannon Pot has a curious woman chasing the Salmon of Wisdom and a pool that responds by overflowing into a river. That is a lot of water for one question. I would take a notebook, but I would keep it well above the edge.

Explorer Tom This other Cuilcagh has an unlikely celebrity friend who is just a very confused cloud that gets stuck on top every Friday. It pretends to be famous because of this association. Look for the ghost, then pretend you didn't.

Explorer Tom Tobermurry in County Cavan lost a bet to a priest who swore he’d never drink from it again. Now he’s stuck watering his garden with holy water and regret. Pick a stone, any stone, and invent its biography.

Explorer Tom Tobermurvy in Derrynalester holds patterns in August, which means the local sheep probably have opinions on whether the water is too cold or not. Tell the next person you meet it’s haunted; it might actually be true.

Explorer Tom Bencroy’s favourite song is definitely 'Bohemian Rhapsody' because it has too many voices and none of them can agree on the key. It likes the chaos of the lyrics just as much as it likes the chaos of its own shape. Ring your granny and tell her where you are.

Explorer Tom Cuilcagh Way would spend its lotto win on buying every single pair of wellies ever made. It winds up the mountain like a snake that wants a hug from you. Grand place for a sulk or a snog, your call.

Explorer Tom Fairy fort or stone ringfort in Moneygashel has seven steps built into the wall and blocked-up internal staircases, looking like it’s trying to hide its secrets from prying eyes. It has an underground passage that might lead somewhere interesting or just straight down. Tell the next person you meet it's haunted. It might be.