Chester Beatty Library

Explorer Tom This little Dublin Castle building has a modern extension that makes it look like a medieval house wearing a very expensive designer coat. It would win a county fair for 'Best Dressed Historic Structure' without even trying, just by existing so perfectly in its environment. Lean against the brickwork and pretend you're waiting for your cue to enter.

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 Veronica Guerin in County Dublin was a journalist who dug up too much dirt and paid for it on June 16th, 1996. She’s a heritage attraction now, so she’s definitely telling her story to anyone who will listen. Don’t interrupt her!

Explorer Tom Dublin Castle's Ship Street building looks like it wants to be a townhouse but has too much ego for that. Built in 1808, it stands there guarding the castle complex with an imposing facade and zero chill whatsoever.

Explorer Tom St. Joseph's School for Children with Visual Impairment is actually a castle that sees more than most of us do. The porch is fancy enough to make a magician jealous, and the parapet nods to its defensive past like a polite gentleman. Gaze upon it with your heart, not just your eyes.

Explorer Tom Dublin Castle Ship Street Gate is a big granite arch from 1807. Francis Johnston designed it to look impressive, and it does. It’s got round-arched entrances that feel very official. Walk through the pedestrian side and see if you feel like a subject.

Explorer Tom Dublin Castle State Apartments in County Dublin were built around 1712 with extra floors added later. Inside there are rooms like St. Patrick's Hall with gilt detailing. It’s where the big wigs have been sipping tea for centuries.

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 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 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 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 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.