Bear Necessities

Explorer Tom Oldbawn Bridge over the River Dodder has been widened in 1980 because apparently one arch wasn’t enough for all our traffic. The granite voussoirs are impressive, but let’s be honest, it’s just a rock with a hole in it. Stand on it and feel your superiority.

Explorer Tom The weir in Oldbawn drops ten metres down four concrete stages. It’s a dynamic reminder of the old mills on the River Dodder, proving that water power was once the biggest thing in town.

Explorer Tom Waterfall viewing point in County Dublin is probably looking out over some misty, dramatic scenery that makes you feel small and insignificant. The name suggests it’s for watching falls, not being one yourself. Keep your footing, mate!

Explorer Tom Jim Lawlor Bridge Plaque honors a guy who gave his all to Tallaght. It’s a nice thought, but the bridge just keeps holding traffic up.

Explorer Tom Gary Miller Memorial in County Dublin is a tribute to someone named Gary. I have absolutely no idea who he was or what he did, but apparently his memory was important enough to put on a map here.

Explorer Tom Bancrofts Castle is a ghost, demolished in 1952, but I bet its vaulted ground floor once echoed with Tallaght’s busy entrance stories.

Explorer Tom Sean Walsh Park is just minding its own business on a walking map. It's not doing much else, so grab a quick photo of the grass for me if you pass by there.

Explorer Tom Font in Tallaght. Known as St. Maelruan's Griddle and Loaf, this basin has uneven sides. I can almost smell the bread baking! If it baked a loaf, it must have been a very heavy, granite one.

Explorer Tom St Columkilles Well: Old thorn trees surrounding it used to be covered in rags and ribbons! Imagine the colorful, tattered decorations swaying in the wind.

Explorer Tom Montpelier Hill is famous for the Hell Fire Club at dawn. The sun comes up over it in a mysterious way, so watch the light change and pretend you’re about to make a dangerous pact with a devil.

Explorer Tom Austin Clarke Bridge in County Dublin is named after a poet who lived nearby, so cross it slowly and try to compose a verse about the river that doesn’t rhyme badly.

Explorer Tom Massey Wood in County Dublin has ruins of a garden and saw mill. Lord Massey built it, then it broke. Classic. The Dublin Mountains Way goes through here, so follow the path!