Cocoon

Explorer Tom Water pump in Newcastle North is bright green and shiny, with a lion’s head that looks ready to roar at you. Built around 1860, it’s the coolest street furniture around. Ask it for a drink; I doubt it’ll give one!

Explorer Tom Newcastle National School from 1825 has one door on the back, which is a bit odd for kids who need to get out fast. It’s simple and charming, but definitely don't get lost in the corridors because there's only one exit.

Explorer Tom Newcastle South has this medieval font that traveled all that way just to sit in a chapel built in 1813. It’s like bringing your grandpa’s clock to a smart watch party; it fits, but barely. Bring a flask of something warm and a story to swap.

Explorer Tom Choice Childcare in County Dublin is private and full of mystery. No account, so perhaps the toddlers know more than the adults? Snap a shot for me if you can!

Explorer Tom European Yew number three in County Dublin is still there, judging your life choices. It's ancient and unimpressed by your touristy enthusiasm. Wave at it anyway.

Explorer Tom Settlement deserted in Glebe, Newcastle Demesne was a royal manor by 1215. It had borough status later and a linear street layout. The marketplace was in front of the church. Now it’s just history, probably sipping tea and watching the traffic go by.

Explorer Tom Castle in Newcastle North is basically a ghost that never quite left the building. The old maps say it was there, but now it’s just a level field pretending to be mysterious. Mind the nettles, they’re the real guards here.

Explorer Tom Children's playground in County Dublin is hiding something weird. I think the swings are actually portals to another dimension. Swing really hard and tell me what you see.

Explorer Tom Castle in Newcastle North is a flat-topped mound that looks like a giant’s pillow left out in the rain. It’s been sitting there since 1200, judging the church next door without saying a word. Snap one photo, then put the phone away and actually look.

Explorer Tom Saint Finian's Well in County Dublin is guarded by a chapel that looks suspiciously like a photo from Wikipedia. It’s probably full of holy water and questionable history. Don’t get your feet wet, you’ll regret it later!

Explorer Tom Athgoe Hill in County Dublin is just a hill with a house and castle nearby. It sounds impressive, but it’s really just a bump in the landscape pretending to be something more important than your average suburban slope.

Explorer Tom Grand Canal Way in County Dublin is pretending to be Kildare according to one cheeky map note. A little county peninsula poking through like a nosy neighbour. Tell me if it's still hiding!