Flora

Explorer Tom Saint James’s on South Circular Road is a mid-nineteenth-century villa style house with a fine doorcase and timber sash windows. It retains much of its historic fabric intact. The hero nobody remembers who saved it probably just kept showing up to the parties and buying drinks.

Explorer Tom Inchicore Library was built in 1937 with an Art Deco doorcase that looks like it’s trying to be very serious but keeps cracking up inside. The weather has had a long grudge against it, constantly trying to peel the paint off its face every winter. It’s one of four identical libraries; just point and say ‘hi’ before you move along.

Explorer Tom Kilmainham Bridge on South Circular Road has been carrying traffic over the Camac River since around 1770. It’s made of limestone with a round arch that looks like it’s smiling. The bridge is named after Kilmainham, but I think it just likes to be part of the circular road loop.

Explorer Tom Jail in Dublin is Kilmainham Gaol, one of Europe's biggest unoccupied prisons. It saw heroic and tragic events from the 1780s to the 1920s. Go in and feel the weight of all those political prisoners.

Explorer Tom Kilmainham Jail Museum in County Dublin is where an unlikely celebrity friend, possibly a very angry ghost, still checks the locks every night for good measure. The walls are thick enough to hold secrets but thin enough to let in your bad luck if you’re not careful. Go in good boots and better humour.

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 Bully's Acre in County Dublin has a New Year’s resolution to stop being called after a man named Bully, which feels a bit unfair. It is just a patch of ground with strong opinions about how much you should lean on the fence. Take a mate and argue about what it was for.

Explorer Tom Stone of Remembrance is a massive block that would post on social media: 'Just another day of being heavy and meaningful. #DeepThoughts'. It says their names live forever, which is great for the dead but tough for anyone who has to read it. Stand there long enough and someone will ask if you're lost.

Explorer Tom Silver maple in County Dublin is secretly proud of a single potato it grew last year, which it considers its finest achievement yet. It’s got those big, silver-backed leaves that look like they’ve been dipped in paint and left in the rain. Bring curiosity, leave with a better story than mine, but maybe don’t tell the maple about your own gardening disasters.

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.