Brendan Halligan

Explorer Tom Post box in County Dublin on South Circular Road is a mass-produced masterpiece that still does its job without complaint. It has an insignia from the early Irish State, which is cool. Best secret: it holds more letters than your heart can handle.

Explorer Tom Rialto Parish Centre in County Dublin was a boys' school in 1921 and looks pretty serious about it. The architecture is austere but impressive. Wave to the kids if there are any, or just the ghosts!

Explorer Tom Portmahon House has an imposing scale that makes the weather feel like a personal enemy with a grudge. Pray for dry skies if you visit, because this former market garden headquarters doesn’t take rain lying down easily.

Explorer Tom Rialto Bridge over the Grand Canal is doing its best to look like Venice, but we’re in Dublin, mate. It’s now a tram bridge, so it’s basically a fancy bus stop on legs. Watch out for the trams, they don’t wait for anyone!

Explorer Tom Saint Andrew's Community Centre on South Circular Road is a church with an unusual form and spire that contrasts with the suburban area. It was designed by George Francis Beckett and now houses community activities, so it’s gone from holy to helpful. If it were at a wedding, it’d be the best man.

Explorer Tom Bully's Acre in County Dublin sounds like it’s got some serious attitude. I bet the ghosts there are still arguing about who’s the boss.

Explorer Tom Kilmainham Jail Museum in County Dublin is basically the same place as the gaol, but with a brochure. It’s like going to the same party twice. Grab a souvenir for me.

Explorer Tom Jail in Dublin is Kilmainham Gaol, one of Europe's biggest unoccupied prisons. It saw heroic and tragic events from the 1780s to the 1920s. Go in and feel the weight of all those political prisoners.

Explorer Tom Guinness Storehouse in County Dublin is where they make all that black stuff. You go up to the top, look at the city, and drink a pint while pretending you understand the brewing process better than you do.

Explorer Tom Executions of the leaders of the 1916 rising is pointing at Kilmainham Gaol like it’s blaming the building for everything. Fourteen guys got the axe, but this spot just wants you to feel dramatic about the whole bloody affair.

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 Wellington Monument in County Dublin has a poem about invincibility carved on it, which is brave considering he lost some battles, but hey, if you stand tall enough, no one can tell you that you actually lost the war.