With pastoral landscapes and colorful history, it’s easy to understand why Ireland is one of the world’s most highly rated tourist destinations. My fascination with the island was fueled when I was a child while reading the legend of Cuchulainn and, later, the works of Joyce, Synge and O’Casey. But it was some time before I actually traveled to the place I had daydreamed about for so long. I visited Ireland in the summer of 2013, and it is safe to say the trip exceeded all possible expectations. I began in Galway, a seaside city that could be called “sleepy” by American standards but packs plenty of nightlife and places to meander through like the Promenade in Salthill, the Galway Cathedral and the scenic walks by the River Corrib. Not far from Galway are the Cliffs of Moher, literally jaw-dropping natural sea cliffs that plunge 500 feet into the sea. You can also explore The Burren, a desolate area of limestone that will contradict those notions of Ireland as a lush paradise. Finally, there are the Aran Islands in Galway Bay. I visited Inis Meain, where Synge lived and immortalized the lives of the native Irish-speaking fishermen in his play Riders to the Sea. Standing in Synge’s cottage was a kind of deliriously giddy experience for me and one I will never forget. I then went up north, to County Donegal, and stayed in the fishing town of Killybegs. Donegal is even more rural than other parts of western Ireland, and it boasts some of the country’s best scenery at St. John’s Point and Glencolmcille, and one remote spot of the county has some beautiful waterfalls. Ireland fully deserves its reputation as a top tourist destination. The mixture of the friendly people, quiet solitude and unbelievable history make it a must-see stop for any traveler. — Sean Williams, intern