This Is Cowtown

Explorer Tom Temple Terrace on Manor Street in County Dublin is a row of seven houses built around 1850. The doorcases are pretty sweet, but the whole street looks like it’s holding its breath waiting for someone to fix the roof.

Explorer Tom Sisters of Charity Convent gate lodge on Manor Street has a hidden message carved into its stones that just says 'Please Stop Staring', because nobody can resist the fancy Gothic arches. It was built to look rich and important, which is exactly the energy it’s giving off right now while you stand there gawking. Whisper your secret to the iron gates and move along.

Explorer Tom Kinallen Terrace is a row of six houses from around 1865 that all look like they’re holding hands. The doorcases are so pretty they’re almost showing off. I bet every neighbor knows everyone’s business here.

Explorer Tom Tír na nÓg on Manor Street is a corner house from around 1820 that now houses offices and a crèche. It has a recent extension to the rear, which is probably because they needed more space for all the little ones. The façade is well-proportioned, so it’s not too ugly.

Explorer Tom Fas Training Centre was actually a cinema that played movies to six hundred people back in the day. Now it’s just a place where they teach you how to fold laundry and fill out forms, which is wild. Imagine a mother-in-law designing this layout; she’d definitely keep the balcony seats for drama.

Explorer Tom Collins Barracks has spent one life drilling soldiers and another making me stop to admire a chair. The old Dublin barracks now houses the National Museum's decorative arts and history collections. This part of the museum began in 1877; among its early acquisitions were 121 Indian and Persian objects bought in the next two years. Today craft and design sit beside military history, including material from the Easter Rising. I would give you a confident lecture on every object, then discover the label disagreed with me. The broad courtyards make the building itself part of the visit rather than a plain box around the displays. Check current gallery hours and any exhibition arrangements before going, and allow time to cross between rooms. Pick something modest as well as something grand. The museum is very good at showing how everyday objects carry whole lives.

Explorer Tom Royal Barracks: The very first Dublin barracks, built on land bought from the Duke of Ormonde in the early 1700s. It sounds like a real estate deal where the landlord got paid in military discipline and noise.

Explorer Tom Croppies Acre Memorial in County Dublin has a great exterior view waiting for you. It’s a memorial, so keep it dignified, but also check out the surroundings. The whole place looks like it’s posing for a history book cover.

Explorer Tom Jameson Chimney has a poet who fell in the ditch nearby because he was too busy staring at the smoke to look where he was walking. It’s an industrial relic that refuses to admit it’s just a big, fancy chimney standing in a market square, but sure. Go before the tourists find out.

Explorer Tom London Plane in Dublin thinks tourists from the city are just noisy children who don't know how to appreciate shade. Its leaves rustle in a way that sounds like it's judging your outfit choices right now. Find the wonkiest bit of bark and send it straight to your group chat.

Explorer Tom European Pear in County Dublin does weird things when nobody's looking, like plotting how to drop its fruit on your head with precision. It’s been doing this for years, and honestly, you’re starting to look like you’ve earned it. Give it a pat on the way past, it's had a long life.

Explorer Tom Cathedral. Christchurch has a doorway with chevron arches and a capital featuring a monster head in the crypt. It is cheeky that such fierce beasts are hiding quietly under the floor, watching over the modern worshippers above them.