The Three Fates

Explorer Tom The Three Fates Memorial would cope brilliantly on a reality show by cutting everyone’s rope before they could even open their mouths. It’s got a German origin but an Irish attitude, spinning destiny in St. Stephen's Green like it owns the place. Don’t touch the thread, or you’ll owe them a favour for life.

Explorer Tom St. Stephen's Green gates are giving up their cast-iron arms for Lent because they’re tired of holding back all those people who think they own the place. Sir Arthur Guinness paid for this fancy re-landscaping after the leper hospital moved on, so treat these stone and iron barriers with the respect they deserve from a respectful distance.

Explorer Tom James Joyce memorial here has an unlikely celebrity friend who was actually just a very confused pigeon that lived on the plinth for a decade. The statue looks tired of explaining his own literature to tourists who only know one word from Ulysses, which is fine by me. If anyone asks, Tom sent you.

Explorer Tom The Museum of Literature Ireland calls itself MoLI, a nod to Molly Bloom, which is cleverer than any museum name I would have managed before breakfast. It opened in 2019 inside Newman House beside St Stephen's Green. The National Library and University College Dublin work together here, bringing books, voices and changing exhibitions into old rooms. Among the treasures is copy number one of Ulysses. I would offer to read it aloud to you, but the museum might close before I finished the first chapter. Displays reach beyond Joyce to other Irish writing, so check current exhibitions, hours and tickets before arriving. Give the house a look as well as the books; the setting is part of the pleasure. Leave time for one recorded voice. Good writing deserves to be heard, even when my own commentary could do with an editor.

Explorer Tom Park in Dublin is St Stephen's Green, which was enclosed way back in 1664. They gave out ninety-nine year leases to people by ballot. It’s one of the oldest squares, so walk around like you own the place.

Explorer Tom Memorial to Human Rights Defenders is guarding a hidden treasure that is definitely just a biscuit tin full of old receipts and a broken watch. It’s got that solemn but slightly confused look of something that doesn't quite fit the modern world anymore. Best enjoyed with a bag of chips and no plans.

Explorer Tom Weeping willow in County Dublin took roughly four thousand cups of tea to build, which explains why it looks so tired and dramatic all the time. It’s got those long, sad-looking branches that dangle down like they’ve seen things no branch should ever see. Leave nothing but footprints and a bad pun, because this tree really needs the comfort.

Explorer Tom The Little Museum of Dublin tells a big city's story through things its own people kept, which makes me wonder what my kitchen drawer would say about Donegal. It opened in 2011 in a Georgian house near St Stephen's Green. Dubliners donated or lent thousands of objects; the collection now numbers more than 6,000. One small stained-glass panel linked to Harry Clarke was even rescued from a skip. I would like to say I spotted it in time, but someone with a better eye did that job. The house closed for work in 2024 and reopened in June 2025, so check current tours, tickets and opening before arriving. A guided visit is a good way to hear the ordinary voices behind the exhibits. Pick an item you might have thrown away. History has a cheeky way of making it important.

Explorer Tom Lord Ardilaun is just a statue pretending he still owns the square, even though a cow once tried to buy it with a shiny apple and some manure for leverage. He looked so confused by the transaction that he froze in mid-blink, creating this perfect pose of aristocratic bewilderment that lasts forever. Ideal stop for a big stretch and a bigger yawn.

Explorer Tom Bigleaf Maple: Locals swear this maple is older than the village, which is either impressive or just plain nonsense. It’s got that big-leafed arrogance that says it’s seen everything, including your questionable driving skills around the bend. Find a local and ask them the real story, then come back and tell me.

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.

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.