Connections Between

Explorer Tom Rathfarnham Castle was built by Adam Loftus around 1583 and hasn't changed its mind about looking impressive since then. It's a landmark that refuses to fade into the background, even if it's been remodeled a few times. Pop by and tell it you admire its stubbornness.

Explorer Tom Children's playground in County Dublin has unknown status, so it’s playing hard to get like a shy cat. The legend goes that if you slide down at noon, you see your future. I saw nothing but dust. Your turn!

Explorer Tom Cist in Palmerstown Lower sits on the river bank where burials were dug up. It's a cist with an urn, which sounds like a fancy box. Sit on a wall near it and pretend you're in a moody painting from 1868.

Explorer Tom That Balgaddy post box is blending in so well it’s practically invisible to the eye of the beholder. It must be having a serious identity crisis with the new houses. Give it a wink, it’s shy.

Explorer Tom Wynyard in Balgaddy was farm buildings from 1835 but is now houses with corrugated plastic roofs. It’s a reminder of the rural past in this developed area. The original form is still there, just with some modern additions.

Explorer Tom Well in Ballyowen was used for drinking water back in Joyce's day, but now its exact location is lost. It’s a ghost well that slipped out of the map. Bring a map, get lost anyway, that's the fun.

Explorer Tom Griffeen Valley Walk in County Dublin has a river that merges into Vesey Park, which sounds like a fancy garden party gone wrong. Grab a photo of the water for me!

Explorer Tom Ginkgo in County Dublin would tell its younger self to stop trying so hard to look prehistoric. It’s a survivor, but it doesn’t need to brag about being older than dinosaurs every five minutes. Pretend you're a lost aristocrat, nobody will check your ID at the park gate.

Explorer Tom Giant Sequoia in County Dublin is having an existential crisis because it has an imaginary twin across the sea it’s never met. It’s huge, loud, and completely out of place here, like a giant in a small room. Look for the ghost, then pretend you didn't see anything weird.

Explorer Tom Tandy's Playground in County Dublin is likely named after someone who got tired of waiting. Access is unknown, so it could be abandoned or full of ghosts. Take a picture for me if you hear any giggles!

Explorer Tom Castle in Clondalkin is Tully’s Castle, a narrow 16th-century tower with crenellations right on Monastery Road. It’s in state care, so it’s basically a celebrity that can’t leave the house. Ring your granny and tell her where you are before she worries about the round tower.

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!