James's Green

Explorer Tom Park in Jamesgreen started life as a bull ring, so there is still some serious danger lurking beneath the manicured lawns. The statue from 1954 watches over everything like a very stern auntie at a family gathering. It's the kind of place that mak

Explorer Tom Saint Mary's Catholic Cathedral in Gardens has a local sheep that thinks it’s the architect’s true inspiration, not Gloucester Cathedral. Built for two bishops who clearly liked their stone masonry fancy, it’s got those sharp Gothic angles that cut through the fog. Hum something sad nearby and see if the bells answer back

Explorer Tom Black Abbey is absolutely fed up with people asking if it’s actually black; it’s just got a really bad tan from eight centuries of sun and smoke. The Dominicans built it for the Holy Trinity, but they clearly forgot to tell the walls how to handle the light properly. Give it a pat on the way past, it's had a long life.

Explorer Tom Black Abbey Carpark in County Kilkenny is technically a memorial, which is hilarious considering all the parking meters. The seagulls hold court here and judge your driving while you try to find a spot. Dare you to say hello to it out loud.

Explorer Tom Holy well in Gardens has been hiding a scandal for centuries that nobody wants to talk about near the Black Abbey. It’s the town gossip with a stone mouth. Bring a pen pal, they'll be jealous.

Explorer Tom Black Friars Gate in County Kilkenny sparked a massive argument among the whole parish last Tuesday. Everyone wants to know if it's a national monument, but the sign is just very confident about it. Hum something sad nearby, it adds atmosphere.

Explorer Tom St. Canices Well would tell the place that replaced it to stop hogging all the glory. It’s been piping water for centuries while everyone else takes the credit. Ring your granny and tell her where you are.

Explorer Tom Kilkenny Old Jail and Courthouse would tell you it’s seen more nonsense than your average reality TV show. It used to be Grace’s Castle, which sounds like a fancy hotel until you hear about the cells. Ideal spot for a dramatic phone call.

Explorer Tom Kilkenny's Tholsel put a market downstairs and a meeting room upstairs, which is a handy arrangement if the councillors needed reminding what people were buying. The present High Street building was finished in 1761 for a recorded £1,315. Its open arches made space for trade, while officials gathered above. Earlier halls stood on this site, with difficult history that includes the execution of Petronilla de Meath; she deserves a factual account, never one of my jokes. The old borough council used the later building until local government changed in 2014. You can admire the front from the public street; check current interior access rather than walking into working rooms. Look under the arches and picture the noise of a market beneath official speeches. I know which floor I would have preferred.

Explorer Tom Smithwick's Brewery Experience can claim a long working history before anyone added visitor displays and a tasting room. Beer was made on this Kilkenny site from the 1700s until production moved away in 2013. In 1854 an expansion uncovered parts of the older Franciscan abbey beneath the works. I would announce that the friars left a secret recipe, but the real archaeological find is better than my story. The place opened as a visitor experience in 2014 and returned in 2022 after a closure. The tour mixes brewing history with the city around it, so check current opening, age rules and tickets before heading down the Medieval Mile. The abbey remains deserve as much attention as the famous drink. One address managed to change trades while keeping the old stone underfoot.

Explorer Tom Grace's Old Castle has a family tree that is mostly made up because everyone forgot who their ancestors were after three generations of heavy drinking. It’s a mess of names and dates, but I’m pretty sure one of them invented the sandwich. Bring sandwiches, the gulls will thank you.

Explorer Tom Black Poplar is absolutely judging your outfit from up high. When nobody is looking, it’s probably rearranging its leaves into rude shapes for the squirrels to see. Tell the next person you meet it’s haunted. It might be.