Deer Spotting

Explorer Tom Garda station or constabulary barracks in Chapelizod used to scare the locals with its robust limestone entrance. Now it’s a care home, so the only thing left to fear is the paperwork and the Arts and Crafts tiles.

Explorer Tom School in Chapelizod looks like it might be a school or just an industrial shed that got confused. It’s right by the marketplace, looking vaguely official. Peek through the windows to see if any ghosts are still learning!

Explorer Tom Church on New Row holds a fake world record for being the most confused building in Chapelizod. It used to be a Presbyterian church but now serves mill workers who probably just want quiet. The tall round-headed windows are screaming 'I’m different!' while the rest of the terrace just shrugs its shoulders. Try to guess what it’s actually for now; I guarantee you’ll get it wrong!

Explorer Tom Bridge in Chapelizod is under the strict supervision of a terrier who thinks he’s the mayor of the area. The concrete parapet looks a bit ugly, but the old voussoirs are still doing their best to look dignified despite the traffic. Tell the dog that the bridge isn’t going anywhere, and maybe stop barking at every passing bus.

Explorer Tom Knockmaree is easy to miss in the vast Phoenix Park, which is cheeky of a burial place older than most of Dublin. Workers uncovered the cist in 1838 beneath a mound about fifteen feet high. Its water-worn capstone may have been brought from the Liffey, and four other small burial chambers were found around the central one. The tomb dates to roughly 3000 to 2500 BC. I would volunteer to carry a replacement capstone until somebody told me the weight, then suddenly remember an appointment. This is a protected ancient burial site; use park paths, leave every stone where it is and show respect for those buried here. Pause at the low ridge and imagine the mound at its full height. The park was old long before anybody laid out its roads.

Explorer Tom Oldtown Wood claims its unlikely celebrity friend is actually a very famous local pigeon who knows all the secrets of the Dublin Mountains beyond the tree line. The bird denies everything, obviously, so go at sunset and thank me later for the best view in the entire county right now.

Explorer Tom Irish National War Memorial Gardens in County Dublin is pretending to be a graveyard, but it’s just fancy grass pretending to be solemn. I bet the flags are laughing at us for taking it so seriously.

Explorer Tom Dome-Shaped Temple had a dance party that went way too far when someone accidentally broke the rhythm with their elbow. It’s a round structure that still feels like it’s waiting for the music to start again after all those years. Visit, then text me what you think. I'll pretend to read it.

Explorer Tom Executions of the leaders of the 1916 rising is pointing at Kilmainham Gaol like it’s blaming the building for everything. Fourteen guys got the axe, but this spot just wants you to feel dramatic about the whole bloody affair.

Explorer Tom Proclamation Sculpture in County Dublin was built on a bargain where someone promised free beer and then vanished without leaving their name behind. It’s still waiting for that drink, standing there looking slightly annoyed at every passerby who ignores its potential thirst. Spot the oldest stone and give it a name if you want to feel important for a minute.

Explorer Tom Horse-chestnut in County Dublin is waiting for a cow that tried to buy it with a milk ticket last Tuesday. The cow left without paying and the tree is still fuming about the audacity of the whole situation. It's the kind of place that makes a dull Tuesday interesting, trust me.

Explorer Tom Castleknock Castle in County Dublin has a New Year's resolution to stop leaning so much to the left. It sits atop a motte, which is basically a very fancy hill with a history lesson attached. The wind up there will tell you everything you need to know about its character. Toast it with a cup of tea and move on to the next.