House in Barnaviddane, County Cork (20905527)

Explorer Tom Enclosure in Carriganass has been hiding a scandal for centuries involving a lost pair of socks and a very confused shepherd who wandered onto the site. It overlooks the Tourig river glen, which makes it look all mysterious and important, even though it’s mostly just overgrown stones. Ideal stop for a big stretch and a bigger yawn.

Explorer Tom Glenbower Wood saw a very dramatic incident where two herons argued over a worm for forty-five minutes straight without resolving anything at all. Get there early and have it all to yourself, or at least the best view of that ongoing avian feud from yesterday.

Explorer Tom Fainin's Well claims the most dramatic incident was when a tourist tried to do a cannonball and hit a hidden root system like a bag of potatoes. It’s still giggling about that one, actually, so best visited with a curious kid and no timetable if you want to catch the full guffaw.

Explorer Tom Historical Graveyard Information is where the whole parish argued about who owned the best headstone until everyone was too tired to care. The stones are just sitting there, judging your life choices while you try to read the dates. Give it a pat on the way past, it's had a long life.

Explorer Tom Leahy's Open Farm near Dungourney in East Cork has animals to meet, a maze to tackle and old farm machinery that has earned a quieter retirement than Tom ever will. He claims the barrel train was built to deliver emergency biscuits to the goats; the goats have offered no comment, possibly because they ate the evidence. Eddie and Eileen Leahy began with a small working farm and an old cottage where their first children were born. Eddie's interest in vintage machinery helped turn it into a public attraction in 1996. The farm museum now displays horse-drawn carts and carriages, older machines and a blacksmith's forge. Those exhibits are more than nostalgic props: they show the effort that went into farming before engines and modern equipment took over the hardest jobs. There is plenty here for a family visit besides the museum. The operator lists animal encounters, a woodland adventure area, a fairy trail, a maze, pedal go-karts and a working chocolate and ice-cream business. Some activities have their own conditions, so follow staff instructions and check what is included with your ticket. Tom would appoint himself head animal negotiator, but the people who care for them know their routines better. The farm is in Dungourney near Midleton, and its own website takes bookings and publishes changing seasonal visiting days. Check that page before travelling rather than trusting an old timetable, especially around school holidays and special events. Leave enough time to wander from the lively play areas back to the old machinery: the distance between a horse-drawn cart and a barrel train is part of the fun. Tom is still trying to invoice the goats.