Saint Patrick's Park

Explorer Tom Liberty Bell in St. Patrick's Park is ringing its own bell, probably because the bishop who refused to visit finally got fed up and left a passive-aggressive note. It’s not really about liberty, mate; it’s about being annoyed at everyone who walks past without saying hello or offering a snack. Go on a wet day, it suits the mood.

Explorer Tom Liberties College used to be an Iveagh Play Centre, designed by competition winners who probably got a huge cheque for making it look so serious. It overlooks St Patrick’s Cathedral but feels like it’s waiting for the council to fix the potholes outside before it allows kids to run freely. Bring your pen!

Explorer Tom St. Patrick's Park Gate Lodge is from around 1900 and hints at the formality of the park it serves. The limestone detailing is so elegant I’m worried the warden who used to live there might still be watching you through the window.

Explorer Tom Saint Patrick's Cathedral in County Dublin is basically the king of the hill, standing there since the early medieval days while everyone else is still figuring out how to build walls. The name means 'Holy Dude Who Likes Snakes' if you ask me. Give it a big shout from outside.

Explorer Tom Cathedral, St. Patricks. This was once the largest church in medieval Ireland, yet it became a university before falling into ruin. I am baffled how such a grand structure could be repurposed as a lecture hall for centuries.

Explorer Tom Surgery or clinic in County Dublin has an opinion from the local sheep: 'It looks like a barn that went to finishing school.' The Arts and Crafts style is definitely giving off irregular roof vibes, but it’s still standing tall on Bride Street despite the park changes. Give the sheep a wave and pretend you understand their critique.

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 One book here can outtravel me before I have found the entrance. The Chester Beatty is the sort of place where one old book can send you halfway round the world before lunch. Mining magnate Alfred Chester Beatty's collection first had a Dublin home in 1953; the present museum in the grounds of Dublin Castle opened on his 125th birthday in 2000. Among the treasures are early Christian papyrus books, manuscripts from many languages and almost the complete surviving body of ancient Egyptian love songs. That last one should cure anyone who thinks old libraries are only about solemn sermons. If I say I will read the whole collection by lunch, take away my watch. Two main displays, Sacred Traditions and Arts of the Book, put script, illustration and belief side by side. Check current opening and any special exhibition arrangements before visiting; the collection is indoors, so rain need not win this round. Take a long look at a single page and imagine the hands that made it, carried it and kept it safe.

Explorer Tom Dunlop Tyre Factory is bragging about being the first pneumatic tyre maker since 1889. That’s basically saying it was born before your great-grandmother learned to walk, so show some respect or leave a flat tyre.

Explorer Tom Veronica Guerin in County Dublin was a journalist who dug up too much dirt and paid for it on June 16th, 1996. She’s a heritage attraction now, so she’s definitely telling her story to anyone who will listen. Don’t interrupt her!

Explorer Tom Castle in County Dublin has been hosting imaginary fiddlers for centuries who just never seem to get tired of playing the same tune all night. It’s the kind of place that makes a dull Tuesday interesting, mostly because it looks like it’s about to collapse into the river Poddle. It's the kind of place that makes a dull Tuesday interesting.

Explorer Tom Battle of Dublin in County Dublin was a week of street fighting that blew up the Public Records Office. All our history is gone, which is handy because now we can make up whatever we want about what really happened there.