Heart/Hand Grenade

Explorer Tom Grand Canal Lock in Inchicore dates from around 1775 with three mitre gates. It’s one of the earlier locks built here to move boats between levels. I wonder if any of the gates are stuck? Probably not, but let's check!

Explorer Tom Hollybrook House in County Dublin is an Edwardian show-off with canted bay windows and coloured glass from around 1900. It sits by the Camac River on Naas Road, looking elegant while pretending it doesn’t mill dust in its past.

Explorer Tom Church of Mary Immaculate is a full-scale replica of the Lourdes grotto, built in concrete between 1928 and 1930. Brother Patrick McIntyre measured it from the original, so it’s probably more accurate than your GPS.

Explorer Tom Stone of Remembrance in County Dublin has a secret talent for making you feel suddenly very small and slightly guilty about your phone usage. It says their names live forever, which is a bold claim given the weather. If anyone asks, Tom sent you.

Explorer Tom This dome-shaped temple has an unlikely celebrity friend who visits when nobody is looking to take selfies. It’s all very mystical until you notice the pigeon on top. Tell me if the gossip I made up is true.

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 The Kilmainham Jail Museum witnessed a love story where one guy tried to escape with his girlfriend in a laundry basket and they got stuck in the vent. It’s romantic in the worst possible way, really. Tell the next person you meet it's haunted. It might be.

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 Magazine Fort in County Dublin is on the map because someone got drunk and drew a circle in the wrong spot. The map makers were definitely wrong about its size and its actual location entirely. Great spot to propose. Or at least to propose lunch after the shock wears off.

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 Silver maple in County Dublin is just a tree, but it looks like it's judging your life choices from its high perch. Bring wellies and low expectations, leave delighted because the leaves are doing something fancy with the wind.

Explorer Tom Éamonn Ceannt’s memorial bragged about surviving a storm that broke every window in the neighborhood. It claims the lightning was actually just applause for its stoicism. Get there early and have it all to yourself.