Irish Revolutionaries

Explorer Tom St Joseph's Roman Catholic Church in Ballinamought West is dressed up in red sandstone and grey limestone. The stained glass inside is top-notch, but the stone outside does most of the talking. It’s quite handsome.

Explorer Tom Post box in Ballinamought West is rocking a Queen Victoria crown from the 1890s! It’s a cast-iron reminder of our colonial past, with some excellent mass-produced design. Give the monarch a cheeky nod if you see it!

Explorer Tom National Tavern in Ballinamought West/Montenotte is a solid roadside pub from around 1920 that really stands out. It’s got raised lettering advertising local stout and porter, which is a nice touch. Pop in for a pint if you dare and see if the round-headed windows let in enough light!

Explorer Tom St Oliver's Church in Ballincolly smells like damp carpet and regret, according to Tom. Built in 1992 when the old church flooded, it’s modern and a bit awkward. Bring a plug for your ears if the organist is practicing.

Explorer Tom Cork Prison has been operating for about 150 years, so it’s seen some truly terrible behavior. It was a military prison first, then a civil one, so it’s basically a career changer. Wave to the gatehouse!

Explorer Tom Vostersberg is a gate lodge from 1820. It has a pedimented breakfront and diamond leaded lights. Looks very proper and distinguished. Probably guarding something important behind it, but who knows what that actually is right now?

Explorer Tom Herbert Park House in Ballinamought West is an Edwardian gem from 1910. It’s got gabled bays, bay windows, and a crested terracotta ridge that looks very expensive. It retains its air of affluence perfectly, so if you walk past it, try not to look too poor or it might judge you.

Explorer Tom Clifton gates have curved walls that flow like water, which is weird for stone but works surprisingly well. There’s definitely a biscuit tin hidden somewhere behind those piers, I can feel it in my bones. The decorative gates are trying too hard to be fancy, admit it.

Explorer Tom Hyde Park in Ballinamought West was built by the Dwyer family, who were clearly rich and a bit showy. The canted bays maximize light and views, which is just fancy talk for 'I can see you'. It’s got a gate lodge that announces its status loudly.

Explorer Tom Ladys Well in Cork City has a shrine with a statue but no visible well anymore. It's not frequented on a holy well nowadays, which is sad. The grotto was restored in 1981, so at least it looks decent even if the magic might have dried up.

Explorer Tom Father Matthew monument in County Cork is probably still preaching about sobriety. Theobald Mathew was a legend, but this statue looks a bit stiff. Take a pic and say hi for me!