Sunrise Joy

Explorer Tom Marlfield in Cabinteely sits right where the old Cabinteely House used to be, acting like it’s been there forever. It was built for a guy who worked for Lord Chancellor FitzGibbon, so it definitely has connections. It's friendly enough, as long as you don't ask about the bishop.

Explorer Tom Johnstown House gates in Cabinteely are granite piers with domed caps, dating back to 1837. They’ve been standing guard since Love Hiatt lived there. Take a bow to the gates; they might be feeling a bit shy today!

Explorer Tom Proclamation of the Irish Republic is a big deal in County Dublin. It’s a memorial to history changing. The picture looks nice from a distance. Get closer and listen to the echoes of old speeches.

Explorer Tom A Children's playground in County Dublin with unknown access. It’s like a cat that won’t let you in. You just have to wait and see if it blinks first.

Explorer Tom Glendruid Dolmen in County Dublin looks like a giant stone table set for dinner. Who knows what prehistoric menu they were planning? Probably just rocks and dirt.

Explorer Tom High Cross in Laughanstown is a plain granite ring-headed cross set into a cube-shaped base after 1860. It’s got a shingle design on the capstone, which is just decorative triangles for people who like patterns. Ten minutes here and you'll have a yarn for the pub tonight.

Explorer Tom Ayesha Castle is definitely making itself up a bit. The picture caption calls it Manderley Castle, which sounds way fancier than Ayesha. I bet it’s pretending to be something else to impress the locals!

Explorer Tom Killiney Beach in County Dublin boasts views of Bray Head. It’s showing off its scenery. Remind it that a beach is for swimming, not just sitting around admiring other hills from afar.

Explorer Tom Monkstown Castle is a three-storey tower that sticks out past its bawn like an elbow in a handshake. It’s got battlements and a spiral stair that probably breaks your knees. Bring biscuits, every good story needs biscuits and someone to complain about the damp.

Explorer Tom Graveyard in Monkstown Housefarm is a trapezoidal walled site with a pointed arched gateway. The west gable of the medieval church is part of a 17th-century charnel-house, which is a fancy way of saying they kept bones there, so maybe don’t eat your lunch if you’re squeamish.

Explorer Tom Dalkey Hill has been photographed by Irishpunktom back in 2004. It’s probably still posing for selfies today, so take a quick snap and send it to me before the light fades out completely.

Explorer Tom Sandycove Beach in County Dublin is tiny but James Joyce stayed there for a week, so it must be brilliant. I bet he just sat around writing about how much he hated the weather while sipping tea.