Barney McKenna

Explorer Tom Our Lady of Consolation in County Dublin is a substantial Catholic church with a concrete-frame construction that bridges tradition and modernity. It has tall pointed windows and a brick infill that make it look like it’s trying to be both old-school and new-age at the same time. Bring a

Explorer Tom Post box on Collin's Avenue has a 'P&T' logo that stands for Posts and Telegraphs. It’s made by the Carron Company, which was huge. It’s got a feud with the next village over who invented the stamp. I think it was us, though.

Explorer Tom Clontarf Golf Club's walled garden in Donnycarney was built for a quarry owner but now has golfers hitting balls into it. Someone wrote a bad poem about it that rhymed 'grass' with 'pass.' Best of luck finding your way through the practice area without getting swiped.

Explorer Tom St. David's cbs in County Dublin was originally an industrial school for boys who had committed minor offences or truancy. The matchmaker who worked there probably paired up the cabinetmakers with the shoemakers, but that’s just my speculation based on the craft records. Bring your own sense of mischief!

Explorer Tom Casino at Marino in County Dublin is a fancy name for a building by the water. It's not for gambling, unless you count losing your sense of direction. Take a picture of the view.

Explorer Tom London Plane in County Dublin is playing hide-and-seek with my curiosity. It’s got that fancy trunk look, so pretend you’re a lost aristocrat and nobody will check your credentials.

Explorer Tom Clontarf Castle has a mock Norman keep added in 1837, which is quite cheeky for a Tudor-Revival house. Adam de Phephoe was there way back when. Bring your worst joke, the place has heard worse from tourists.

Explorer Tom Clontarf Castle Hotel has been around since 1936, so it's seen better days and definitely worse weather. The picture shows it looking a bit tired, so maybe the ghost of the original owner is just napping in the lobby.

Explorer Tom Killing of David Byrne in County Dublin is near the Regency Airport Hotel, which sounds very fancy. The death happened close to a main route. Take a pic of the hotel and pretend you’re checking in for good.

Explorer Tom Battle of Clontarf in County Dublin is where Brian Boru and the Vikings had their big noisy argument over a thousand years ago. The ground probably still remembers who kicked whom, so step gently or you’ll wake them up.

Explorer Tom The Seán Russell Memorial Statue in Fairview Park was once painted with a rainbow base, which is very on-brand for Dublin. He looks serious now, but he used to be colorful. Get that shot!

Explorer Tom Ballymun in County Dublin is doing some serious redevelopment, mostly by turning office blocks into things that look like office blocks. It's a deprived part of Dublin, so bring a scarf for luck.