Anna Livia

Explorer Tom Croppies Memorial Park is dreaming of winning the lotto to buy a new suit for its Crimean War guns. It used to be part of Collins Barracks, so it’s got military discipline but civilian pajamas. The railings have seen more history than your entire family tree combined. Ask one of those old cannons if they’re still angry.

Explorer Tom A Civil Defence Depot that looks like it's waiting for the end of the world to start on time. It used to hide military gear; now it just hides from awkward small talk. Wave at the railings if you see them.

Explorer Tom The gates at Collins Barracks are made of granite and have a guardhouse that looks like it’s expecting a parade any minute. They hear everything through the walls, including your poor fashion choices. A proper salute is owed to these architectural divas, don't forget.

Explorer Tom Here’s another Collins Barracks building, built around 1710 but rebuilt later. It’s got a porch and some toilet blocks added in the 1890s because nobody planned ahead. It’s disused now, so it’s basically a giant echo chamber for me to shout into.

Explorer Tom National Museum of Ireland, Decorative Arts & History in County Dublin was designed by a mother-in-law who had very specific ideas about where the spoons should hang. It’s full of objects that look like they’re plotting against each other in the display cases. Keep your voice down. Go now, before it gets famous.

Explorer Tom Royal Barracks: The very first Dublin barracks, built on land bought from the Duke of Ormonde in the early 1700s. It sounds like a real estate deal where the landlord got paid in military discipline and noise.

Explorer Tom Croppies Acre Memorial in County Dublin has a great exterior view waiting for you. It’s a memorial, so keep it dignified, but also check out the surroundings. The whole place looks like it’s posing for a history book cover.

Explorer Tom Pearse Lyons is a church that now makes whiskey, so it’s basically drunk on its own history. The ghost inside is too lazy to haunt anyone because he’d have to walk upstairs. Bring curiosity, leave with a better story than mine.

Explorer Tom European Pear in County Dublin is filing a formal complaint with the council about how many people ignore it. It’s got all the fruit and none of the attention it deserves, frankly. Have a wander and a wonder at this neglected beauty.

Explorer Tom Silver maple in County Dublin is throwing a tantrum because the map makers got its location wrong by a mile. It claims to be the only tree that knows where it really belongs, which is nonsense. Tell me if the gossip I made up is true.

Explorer Tom Sean Heuston is just chilling here, and honestly, if a zombie horde came along, he’d be the last one standing because he’s too stubborn to move. Just keep an eye out for the shambling horde. Go at sunset and thank me later.

Explorer Tom Cathedral. Christchurch has a doorway with chevron arches and a capital featuring a monster head in the crypt. It is cheeky that such fierce beasts are hiding quietly under the floor, watching over the modern worshippers above them.