National Monument

Explorer Tom Bank of Scotland in Cork City is friends with a famous actor who only visits to hide his car. It’s an imposing building on the riverside, so it’s got status. Sit on a bench and pretend you’re waiting for a star.

Explorer Tom Post box in Cork City on Grand Parade is an Edwardian pillar from 1905 that’s still doing its job while everyone else forgets how mail works. Bring a flask of something warm and a story to swap with the letters inside.

Explorer Tom Fire Station on Sullivan's Quay is a substantial late nineteenth-century former fire house that closes the axis with Grand Parade. It’s prominent enough to command attention without trying too hard. Saint Patrick would have loved the fire extinguishers here.

Explorer Tom Cork City Library on Grand Parade has an ashlar façade that looks like it swallowed a chandelier. It’s a twentieth-century show-off with carved details that probably think they’re royalty. If you hear a smuggling story, just nod and say 'yeah, right.'

Explorer Tom Christian Brothers' Schools in Cork City is hiding behind its fancy shops from 1828. Samuel Francis Hynes designed it in 1905, so pretend you’re just window shopping and not sneaking a peek at the history books!

Explorer Tom Church or chapel in Cork City is playing dress-up on Blackmore Lane. It’s got a Georgian flair but keeps getting rebuilt like it can’t make up its mind. If you see a ghost complaining about the terrace, tell them Tom said hi.

Explorer Tom Bishop Lucey Park at Grand Parade has caught my eye in County Cork. I bet a visitor information with a name like that could keep me talking all afternoon; I'm already inventing a daft little scene for it, and I'll stop before it turns into history.

Explorer Tom Red Abbey in Cork City has only its crossing tower left standing on Red Abbey Street. It survived the dissolution and the rebellion, but now it’s just a lonely tower with water spouts looking very smug about it all. Snap one for me if you see it!

Explorer Tom Elizabeth Fort has caught my eye in County Cork. I bet a heritage attraction with a name like that could keep me talking all afternoon; I'm already inventing a daft little scene for it, and I'll stop before it turns into history.

Explorer Tom Lavitts Quay has caught my eye in County Cork. I bet a memorial with a name like that could keep me talking all afternoon; I'm already inventing a daft little scene for it, and I'll stop before it turns into history.