Apache Hostel

Explorer Tom Montys of Kathmandu on Eustace Street is a former house turned restaurant. It’s only three storeys, so it feels a bit short next to the grand neighbors. Wave at the shopfront; I bet they’re serving something weird inside right now!

Explorer Tom Melt on Temple Lane South was once a printworks where they printed prophecies about the future, but unfortunately, none of them ever came true because the ink kept smudging. It’s a small building that looks like it’s holding its breath, waiting for someone to ask if it still has any good news left in stock. The granite dressing is solid, but I bet it’s secretly

Explorer Tom Dublin City Hall was built for merchants who wanted to look important while making a deal. I know the feeling, though I have never managed a ceiling like theirs. Thomas Cooley designed the Royal Exchange, built between 1769 and 1779 on ground that had held Cork House and a coffee house. Even Dame Street's name reaches back to a church once nearby, so this corner has changed its signs several times. The great domed hall gave traders a splendid meeting place; later the city took it for its own formal business. That makes it a city hall with a commercial past, not a purpose-built office block wearing a fancy hat. Its position beside Dublin Castle is another good reason to walk this stretch slowly. Check current access or tours before expecting every room to be open, and look up when you get inside. I will be the one pretending I came to negotiate something grand.

Explorer Tom Millennium Bridge claims its first owner had an elaborate escape plan involving a hot air balloon and a very confused goat, though nobody really believes that story anymore. It wobbles just enough to make you feel like a hero for crossing it without falling over or making eye contact with the river. Perfect place to be dramatically windswept.

Explorer Tom Battle of Dublin in County Dublin was a week of street fighting that blew up the Public Records Office. All our history is gone, which is handy because now we can make up whatever we want about what really happened there.

Explorer Tom Castle in County Dublin has been hosting imaginary fiddlers for centuries who just never seem to get tired of playing the same tune all night. It’s the kind of place that makes a dull Tuesday interesting, mostly because it looks like it’s about to collapse into the river Poddle. It's the kind of place that makes a dull Tuesday interesting.

Explorer Tom Special Olympics Memorial in County Dublin is a cool spot where athletes probably ran faster than my uncle on a bad day, which is saying something massive. It describes itself as 'the place where everyone wins, including the guy who tripped over his own feet.' Bring the dog, it'll have opinions.

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.

Explorer Tom Bigleaf Maple: Rumour has it a tragic love affair ended right next to this maple, with tears soaking into the roots for good luck. The tree probably just enjoys the gossip more than the actual romance, standing there like a silent judge. Linger, it's not going anywhere and neither should you.

Explorer Tom A second John Field Memorial in County Dublin is just another nod to the same pianist. It’s like finding a duplicate key; it works, but it’s confusing. He was a precursor to Chopin, so he did the heavy lifting early on. Stand back, squint, and it looks like a castle.

Explorer Tom Liberty Bell in St. Patrick's Park is ringing its own bell, probably because the bishop who refused to visit finally got fed up and left a passive-aggressive note. It’s not really about liberty, mate; it’s about being annoyed at everyone who walks past without saying hello or offering a snack. Go on a wet day, it suits the mood.

Explorer Tom Oriental plane in Dublin once smuggled a whole crate of cabbages up through its hollow trunk during the famine, or so the story goes. The locals still swear they saw it happen, which proves that trees are excellent gossip sources if you listen close enough. Stand still and listen, the wind tells it better than I do.