If a ramble is what you fancy, could there be a better way to go about it? You don't have to become a scholar, but armed with sufficient material about the local landscape and its history, the day out could take on a whole new complexion.
David Sweetman has taken an interest in the medieval castles of Ireland. He is the chief archaeologist of Duchas (formerly in the Office of Public Works) and is general editor of the County Archaeological Inventory series.
He has been widely published and is a member of many academic bodies. Through the Collins Press in Cork, he now brings to us a wonderful insight into his particular passion.
The Cork publishing house has taken some daring steps into territory that has not been well charted. It must be praised for that.
Titles that might not have made it into the bookshops are there now because Con Collins has brought people into his fold who might not have found such support elsewhere.
He has nurtured an interest in the outdoors and nature as well as in writers who have different things to say because of their background and specialities.
In the preface, Sweetman tells us that it was in the early 1970s that he first excavated the castles of Trim and Ferns. That led to an ambition to update the classic work on the subject by Harold Leask.
It was a daunting task, and he thought it wise to wait until the Archaeological Survey of Ireland was "advanced enough to take advantage of the information provided in the County Inventories.
"The basic data in this book are derived from the records of the Archaeological Survey, and without their information I could not have undertaken this task," he wrote.
But he did and the results are here to prove it.
The book looks at the development of the Irish medieval castle from 1169. It begins with the Anglo-Norman invasion and goes on to deal with strong houses and fortified houses of the 16th and 17th centuries.
EVERYTHING is detailed in chronological order. The claim is that this is the most complete book on Irish castles ever published.
It includes many original drawings and photographs. The scholars will be scouring this, but the lay person should have an interest, too.
It's not exactly a rambler's pocket guide - it's a little too large for that - but that shouldn't put anyone off.
It would adorn any bookshelf, and a few carefully chosen notes from it could enhance a Sunday drive or walking tour. So how could it be used? Well, for a start, county by county. Check the indexes. See what might be available in your area.
Almost everywhere we go, there is evidence of our ancient past. But who built that crumbling stone castle? Why was it built and for what purpose?
Knowing that would change the view on a familiar piece of landscape, even if you were only sitting on a train flashing past.
And if the time at hand was more leisurely, and the notes good enough, a day out with the youngsters and even the oldsters could be very enjoyable. David Sweetman's researches could arm you with information to impress them all.