James Joyce Statue

Explorer Tom Shop or retail outlet in County Dublin sits right in front of the GPO, so it’s seen more revolutionaries than your local news anchor has seen the sun. It’s Edwardian Baroque style that tries way too hard to be important. Pretend you’re buying a newspaper and not just gawking at the roofline.

Explorer Tom Zumo Juice Bar on Earl Street North in County Dublin sits in a building rebuilt after the 1916 Rising. The street was badly damaged back then, so this place is basically a phoenix with a blender. Have a look inside; if they have kale, you've won the lottery of bad taste.

Explorer Tom Nice Price shop on Earl Street North was rebuilt after the Easter Rising in 1917. It’s got giant pilasters that make it look like a Roman temple for shopping. The red brick is heavy and serious, which is weird for a place called Nice Price. Very confusing branding if you ask me.

Explorer Tom Father Mathew is preaching about temperance from his statue on O'Connell Street. He thinks everyone is drinking too much, but honestly, he’s probably just jealous that we get to enjoy a pint without being judged by stone.

Explorer Tom Cúchulainn monument is named after the warrior, but it's really just a spot where the bishop refused to visit because he had a headache. It claims legendary status while sitting quietly in County Dublin, pretending it hasn't seen any modern litter. A good place to forget your phone for ten minutes solid.

Explorer Tom Theobald Mathew has been locked in a fierce feud with the rain, which is ironic considering he’s a priest who told people to stop drinking. He stands there looking damp and judgmental, like he’s checking if you’ve slipped up on your sobriety. Stick around for the light changing, it's a show.

Explorer Tom Spanish Civil War International Brigade in County Dublin is a memorial for guys who flew across to help out in 1936, a real international crew if you ask me. A local fortune teller once predicted it would become a giant parking lot, but that never happened, so I’m taking credit. Tell the kids it's a castle. Close enough.

Explorer Tom The Ha'penny Bridge is named after a coin that no longer exists, which I think is just a little bit rude to the bridge. A local guy swears he invented the design himself, though I’m not sure why he’d do that for such a small payment. It’s definitely got more character than most of the modern shiny things around here. Go on, count the windows and get it wrong like I did.

Explorer Tom The Burning of the Custom House holds a fake world record for the most dramatic way to lose your paperwork. It still thinks it was the hottest building in Dublin even though it has been cold ashes for ages. Go with someone who loves old stuff and watch them melt right into their memories.

Explorer Tom Dublin's Last Supper gives Leonardo a roomful of local faces, and I am relieved John Byrne did not ask me to sit for the camera. Installed in the Italian Quarter in 2004, the photographic mural shows thirteen Dubliners in the familiar arrangement. Byrne approached about 150 people before choosing the models. The finished picture stretches roughly 9.3 metres across nine enamelled steel panels on Bloom Lane. One of its joys is that the people are not distant saints in a dusty frame; they are recognisably from a living city. I would pick out a neighbour and be wrong, so take your own time with the faces. It is public street art: visit freely, leave the panels alone and give passersby room. Step back far enough to see the whole table. Dublin has made an old image answer in its own accent.

Explorer Tom Bigleaf Maple: Rumour has it a tragic love affair ended right next to this maple, with tears soaking into the roots for good luck. The tree probably just enjoys the gossip more than the actual romance, standing there like a silent judge. Linger, it's not going anywhere and neither should you.

Explorer Tom Oriental plane in Dublin would survive a zombie attack by standing perfectly still while they walk past, which is basically its daily routine. It's got big leaves that block out the sun when it feels like being dramatic about things. Go in good boots and better humour because this one is wild.