Medieval Dublin

Explorer Tom Town or city walls in County Dublin are having a serious feud with the rain, and honestly, I think the masonry is winning this battle of wits every single time it pours. Bring the umbrella because these ancient stones have been soaking up Dublin’s misery since 1170 and they still look smug about it.

Explorer Tom Mrcb in County Dublin is a granite giant that still refuses to speak to the bishop who skipped his opening dinner party decades ago. The cut-stone detailing is sharp enough to slice through your excuses, so watch where you step near Thomas Street corner today. Maybe leave a small apology note at the base for good measure.

Explorer Tom Farrow & Bank on Cornmarket used to be a Royal Bank building with Italian Gothic style that tries hard to look trustworthy. It’s got opulent render detailing that screams 'we have money' while also saying 'please trust us.' Great spot for photos, just pretend you’re buying gold bars and not just looking at the architecture.

Explorer Tom Caffe Noto in Francis Street started as a grocery for Edward Burke, then became a bank before becoming a cafe. It's got limestone details that look like they're judging your coffee order from the corner.

Explorer Tom House, shop or retail outlet in County Dublin is wearing a red brick mask with terracotta balls on its head to look fancy. It thinks it's an earl but smells like 1885. Wave at the parapet for me and don't let it know you were there.

Explorer Tom Black Bow on Thomas Street is a four-storey brick block hiding behind a red parapet, pretending to be mysterious. A grocer lived there in the 1860s, but now it’s just a shopfront. Peek at the sash windows!

Explorer Tom St Audoen’s Church in County Dublin is playing hard to get, claiming it took forty thousand cups of tea just to lay its first brick, which is probably why it still smells faintly of Earl Grey and ancient secrets. If you linger long enough near those stones, a local will eventually appear to spill the real beans.

Explorer Tom Cross-slab in Dublin has a hidden message in its stones that says 'lunch is on me' if you squint really hard at the hollows. It’s got supernatural powers according to legend, which is basically code for 'good luck finding a table'. Great spot to propose. Or at least to propose lunch.

Explorer Tom Font in Dublin has a date incised on it that is written in Arabic numerals, which is a bold move for the 12th century and probably confused everyone who came after it. It thinks the road leading to it is far too noisy and lacks the proper reverence required for something with such intricate shell designs carved into its sides. Wave at the cows, they're the real locals.

Explorer Tom Saint Audoen's Gate in County Dublin is playing hard to get, pretending it’s just another brick in the wall when it’s actually a medieval starlet. I bet it nearly made the national news once but forgot its own name at the last minute. Pretend you're a lost aristocrat here, nobody will check your credentials.

Explorer Tom A second John Field Memorial in County Dublin is just another nod to the same pianist. It’s like finding a duplicate key; it works, but it’s confusing. He was a precursor to Chopin, so he did the heavy lifting early on. Stand back, squint, and it looks like a castle.

Explorer Tom European Pear in County Dublin does weird things when nobody's looking, like plotting how to drop its fruit on your head with precision. It’s been doing this for years, and honestly, you’re starting to look like you’ve earned it. Give it a pat on the way past, it's had a long life.