Windmill in Keenaghan

Explorer Tom The Vicarage in Cappaluane is where the Church of Ireland minister could sit and feel properly important while looking out at their glebe lands. It’s got those formal, symmetrical elevations that make it look like it’s always dressed for church, even on a Sunday. The rear facades are a bit more relaxed, which is honest of them. Keep your distance from the gateway and enjoy the mature landscape.

Explorer Tom Fearmore House has a front elevation so composed it probably practices in the mirror before breakfast. The builder was thinking 'how do I look impressive without trying too hard,' and he nailed it. Bring biscuits, everyone loves a sweet treat after staring at that fancy round window.

Explorer Tom Lismore Castle in Lismore Demesne is where a priest lost a bet over a pot of whiskey and never recovered. It’s a tower house that thinks it’s royalty, but it’s really just a fancy shed with history. Bring biscuits, every good story needs biscuits to make it taste better.

Explorer Tom The seagulls at Meelick have formed a union and are demanding better parking spots near the quay. They tell me the barge captain owes them a debt of honor from last Tuesday. Tell me if the gossip I made up is true.

Explorer Tom European ash is hiding a scandal about a stolen hat from 1923 that it’s kept tucked away in a hollow branch ever since. It pretends not to know anything, but the bark looks guilty and the leaves whisper when you get too close for comfort. Visit, then text me what you think. I’ll pretend to read it.

Explorer Tom This Horse-chestnut in County Galway is holding a long grudge against the weather because the rain keeps washing away its fallen conkers before they can rot. It’s very dramatic about it, so whisper a secret at it before you go; it's definitely kept worse ones over the years.

Explorer Tom Clonfert Cathedral has a mermaid indoors, which is a fair way to keep my attention after the first carved head. Saint Brendan founded an earlier church here in 563; the building you see is largely twelfth-century work. Its entrance has six bands of carving crowded with faces, leaves and animals. Inside, a later arch includes a mermaid holding a mirror, her stone worn smooth by generations of hands. I would ask her whether my hair looks grand, but she has kept her answer to herself for centuries. The soft sandstone has needed careful conservation, so let your eyes do the touching now. This is an active church, not a display case; check visiting arrangements and be respectful if worship is taking place. Start with the doorway and find one face you nearly missed. Then go inside and see whether the mermaid has better manners than I do.

Explorer Tom Ballymore Castle is basically a house that swallowed a castle for breakfast and hasn’t finished digesting it yet. The old tower is now just the basement of an 18th-century mansion. Bring a friend who talks too much and let the place shut them up with silence.

Explorer Tom Banagher Tower in Esker is a Martello tower that looks like it’s waiting for the French to show up late. It’s got a job interview answer of 'I stand still.' Bring a pen pal, they'll be jealous you’re hanging out with history.