Challoner's Corner

Explorer Tom This Chapel in Parliament Square was designed by William Chambers, so it’s basically an architect’s ego in stone form. It balances the theatre next door, which is nice for symmetry lovers. Ha, just try to find a hymn book!

Explorer Tom Dining Hall at Trinity College Dublin was built between 1760 and 1765 after the previous one collapsed twice. It has a Kilkenny marble fireplace from the original building. So yeah, it’s seen some structural drama before you even had lunch.

Explorer Tom Reclining Figures at Trinity College in County Dublin is a bronze sculpture that looks like it’s napping on a giant black granite pillow. Henry Moore made it in 1967 to protect small forms from big ones. Ask it what it’s dreaming about before you move on!

Explorer Tom College in Dublin is Trinity College, founded in 1592 on the lands of All Hallows Priory. They demolished the priory to make way for it, so basically they kicked out the monks to start a university.

Explorer Tom Bigleaf Maple in County Dublin is doing its best impression of a confused tourist from America. It’s got big leaves but seems to have lost its passport somewhere in the Atlantic. Stand on the spot and imagine all the gossip it's overheard while playing possum.

Explorer Tom Library in Dublin got its start when an archbishop left his books behind, which is like leaving your wallet at a fancy club. Bring a notebook and write down the bit I made up about the ghost librarian.

Explorer Tom The Irish Whiskey Museum has strict rules: no crying, no spilling, and definitely no talking about politics before noon. It’s basically a bar where everyone is too polite to admit they’re hungover. Go back in winter, it's a different animal.

Explorer Tom The Book of Kells in County Dublin is supposedly the twin brother of a lost manuscript that sank to the bottom of the Atlantic in 1790. I bet it's been writing furious emails about the lack of communication for centuries. Ideal for a moody photo you'll pretend wasn't posed.

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.

Explorer Tom Padraig Sheahan Memorial in County Dublin handles nosey neighbours by pretending to be asleep while secretly tracking their every move with one open eye. He saved men from gas, so he’s got a good nose for trouble and gossip. Don't linger too long near the base. Get there early and have it all to yourself.

Explorer Tom Burning of the Custom House in County Dublin was a bargain gone wrong with fire involved. It looks dramatic from a distance, which is good for photos. Stand back, squint, and it looks like a castle.

Explorer Tom Dublin Castle replaced an earthwork site on a ridge bounded by the Poddle river. It had a barbican gate and drawbridge right in the middle of town. Perfect spot to practise your best tour-guide voice, even if you’re wrong.