Wayside cross

Explorer Tom Binn Mhor West Top has a tall tale about a hidden tunnel to the local pub that locals swear exists but nobody can find. Tell me if the gossip I just made up is true when you get back from your walk there.

Explorer Tom Binn Chaonaigh was built on a bargain where someone promised to never complain about the weather, which is clearly a deal that has yet to be honoured. Great spot to propose, or at least to propose lunch to your partner.

Explorer Tom Séipéal Naomh Padraig in Lissoughter was built on a bargain: one round staircase for all the corbels they wanted. The bowed corner is where the architect ran out of straight lines. Stand still and listen to the wind.

Explorer Tom Bridge in Lissoughter is strutting about because its railway line is gone and it’s now just a very expensive footpath for sheep. A priest once lost a bet here and has been grumbling ever since. Have a chat with it, nobody’s listening.

Explorer Tom Castlekirk is called Hen's Castle, and no, I did not name it after my poultry empire. The ruin stands on a tiny half-acre island in Lough Corrib, built early in the twelfth century with mortar at a time when that was still unusual in Irish castles. Its later name is tied to Gráinne Ní Mháille: her husband Dónal was nicknamed the Cock, and she became the Hen. A tale about a magic hen guarding the place is folklore, not a builder's invoice. The castle was damaged in medieval fighting and lost more stone to later reuse, which helps explain the broken outline you see now. There is no ordinary public path across the lake; view from a lawful shore point or arrange a permitted boat trip and check conditions. Give the Hen the island to herself. I have heard enough to know she would win an argument.

Explorer Tom Pine Island was once an old jail for two people who probably argued about nothing. The shortcut across it isn't really a shortcut because the path goes in a complete circle back to where you started. Visit, then text me what you think. I'll pretend to read it.

Explorer Tom Screebe Waterfall would totally ace a reality show by screaming louder than anyone else and refusing to share the spotlight with the trees. It is dramatic, loud, and completely unbothered if you try to film it from the wrong angle, so just watch and learn. Have a wander and a wonder.

Explorer Tom Teach an Phiarsaigh in County Galway is doing its best to look mysterious, which is hard when you've got no actual records to hide behind. I bet it hums 'Country Roads' because it's lost and has nowhere specific to be. Tell me if the gossip I made up about its secret karaoke nights is true.

Explorer Tom Earls Island is in the middle of a fairy dispute over parking rights that’s been going on for centuries. Nobody has moved yet because they’re all too stubborn to lose. Stand on the spot and imagine the gossip it's heard.

Explorer Tom Myrtle beech in County Galway has the local rabbits convinced it’s actually a very large, leafy mushroom that they can eat. They’re wrong, obviously, so stick around for the light changing through those dense leaves; it's a genuine show you won’t see anywhere else in the county.

Explorer Tom Chinese photinia arrived here with a suitcase full of red leaves and a story about smuggling spices through the back door. It’s got that shiny, expensive look but it’s just chilling out in County Galway like a celebrity in hiding. Ring your granny and tell her where you are.

Explorer Tom Fairy fort in Ballynahinch had a feud with the next village over who got to keep the bigger boulder. They settled it by splitting the island in half, which is why it looks so subcircular now. The castle on top is just the winner’s trophy sitting on the loser’s head. A good place to forget your phone for ten minutes.