Common Birds

Explorer Tom First All Ireland Football Final is bragging about a game from 1888 where Limerick beat Dundalk. It thinks that makes it cool, but really it’s just an old scorecard with no one left to remember who actually played the match.

Explorer Tom Tree of Hope in County Dublin sounds like it’s doing a lot of heavy emotional lifting for the neighbourhood. It’s a memorial, so it must be holding up all that positivity on its own. Give it a gentle pat if you see it.

Explorer Tom The Arthur Morrison Monument in County Dublin is honoring an Alderman who probably spent his whole life complaining about potholes, so if you see him glaring at the pavement, don't take it personally, he's just doing his job.

Explorer Tom Chapel. A wall fragment sits in the middle of Donnybrook Village’s graveyard. It’s like a forgotten brick left behind after a party. I hope it remembers what room it was supposed to be in.

Explorer Tom Hybrid Strawberry Tree number three in County Dublin is just collecting dust. The photo looks like a garden catalogue from the last century. Give it a quick wipe down.

Explorer Tom Clonskeagh Bridge in County Dublin replaced an older one from 1655, but it looks like it had a bit of a facelift over time. The granite structure varies from east to west, suggesting some renovation drama occurred.

Explorer Tom Saint Broc's Well in County Dublin claims a saint named Broc lives there now. The plaque says he named the townland, but I think he just liked the vibe. Ask him for a discount on your next pint!

Explorer Tom Hybrid Poplar in County Dublin looks like it's trying to escape gravity. The photo name is in Russian, so who planted this? Probably a confused botanist on holiday.

Explorer Tom Clonskeagh Castle in County Dublin used to be called Roebuck and belonged to a United Irishman ironfounder. History says it was still being fixed up back in 1789, so it has plenty of drama.

Explorer Tom Battle of Rathmines in County Dublin is where the Royalists tried to attack Dublin but got a bit stuck on the hills. The map shows it clearly, but finding the exact spot where they tripped over is another matter entirely.

Explorer Tom Death of Brian Murphy in County Dublin is linked to the Burlington Hotel, which looks very calm now. It’s a quiet death marker. Pose like you’re checking out of a hotel while holding an invisible briefcase.

Explorer Tom Eustace Bridge on Leeson Street is humpbacking it up since 1791. It was named after a deputy chairman, which is the most boring way to be famous ever. Take a pic of the arch for me!