Reflections

Explorer Tom Stables on Baggot Street Lower in County Dublin are sitting right on the street, which is weird for a mews. They’ve got granite stairs with fancy handrails, so I hope you don’t trip and break your nose!

Explorer Tom United Arts Club in County Dublin is a four-bay townhouse that used to be a residence. Built c.1800, it’s now a clubhouse, which suits its wide stance. The granite dressings are crisp, so don’t scuff them with your boots!

Explorer Tom Catherine McAuley in County Dublin is a memorial that just says her name and waits. She was a big deal back then, I think. Give her a nod if she's there.

Explorer Tom Michael Collins 1890-1925 in County Dublin is another spot honoring the same big guy. It seems he had quite an impact on the area. Check out this second memorial and compare notes with the first!

Explorer Tom London Plane in County Dublin has strict rules: no loud noises, no touching the bark, and definitely no asking why it looks like a zebra. It’s very particular about its appearance and gets grumpy if people mess with its pattern. Hang around long enough and you'll hear a story from a local who knows the secrets.

Explorer Tom Statue of Surgeon-Major Parke in County Dublin claims to be the first Irishman across Africa, which sounds like he cheated by taking a shortcut through the Sahara, so keep an eye out for him strutting about.

Explorer Tom National Museum of Ireland, Natural History in County Dublin is known locally as the Dead Zoo. That's a great name! There's a statue of a doctor who sucked poison from an arrow. Go find that statue and check his facial expression for pain.

Explorer Tom National Gallery of Ireland in County Dublin says it was built because some guy named William Dargan gave money to an industrial exhibition. Fancy that! Go find out if the art is actually as impressive as his wallet was back then.

Explorer Tom Another Bigleaf Maple in County Dublin, this one pretending it doesn't know I'm here. It’s probably posting about its 'roots' on social media, acting like a deep thinker when it's just a tree. Bring your own legend, I've run out of facts for you.

Explorer Tom Burning of the Custom House in County Dublin was a bargain gone wrong with fire involved. It looks dramatic from a distance, which is good for photos. Stand back, squint, and it looks like a castle.

Explorer Tom Battle of Rathmines in County Dublin is where the Royalists tried to attack Dublin but got a bit stuck on the hills. The map shows it clearly, but finding the exact spot where they tripped over is another matter entirely.