I was warned before I went to Ireland last September that it would quickly become an addiction. Yep, they were right! We are headed back to Ireland this September. Now I am curious- is there anyone here that has been to Ireland but doesn't crave to return? If you are returning, is there a specific site/memory/event/anything in particular that brings you back?

Why must you do this to me, I was on my way home. OK real quick ...

I must go back regularly. If I had to pick one thing, it's the hospitality of the people and the country in general.

Have fun on your next trip!!!!

Bill

I agree with Bill -- I like the sights and the people and the history and the Guinness.

Well. We were there last May. We are definitely going back again. We just haven't been able to manage it right now.
I loved it. I loved EVERYTHING about Ireland.
The people were wonderful and the country is breathtaking.

While I would go back, I don't 'crave' to return. I had a blast last month, but it's just that there is so much of the world I still want to see. So, for the times we are able to travel, I like to check out someplace new.

Thanks to the folks here on the Fodors forums, I was alerted to the great Air France sale last month. Going to Paris in Feb

Sher and jef's comments sum up everything for me. I loved Ireland and definitely want to go back but there is also so much of the world to see. So many places to go - so little time!

I don't know why it's my favorite country...so I guess I better go back and find out.

I had fun frollicking through Europe last year, but Ireland was something special. I guess it was the hospitality I encountered. It was really something else.

And oh yeah, I love Guinness.

We've been ther once(south), will return soon to the north.

Our fourth trip is planned for October. On our first trip we took our two teenaged sons; next time just one son and finally we went alone. We have only begun to travel in the past few years and are interspersing these trips among other destinations. Both of our sons hope to go back to Ireland someday.

My husband's family is Irish, but no one has ever taken a "genealogical" trip. The country just calls to us...

Beautiful country, peaceful, feels like home. Like it so much I'm applying for citizenship.

Returned recently from our first visit (2 weeks) to Ireland. Had a wonderful trip, enjoyed Ireland, and would certainly go back, but by no means do I "crave" to return. In fact, I might suggest that I found Ireland to be a bit overrated after reading many of the comments on this board. Too many other places to see to continuously return there.

I'm so happy to read these positive comments. I've always wanted to visit Ireland, and we are going for 9 days in August. I've heard only wonderful things about it.

The first time I visited Ireland was in 1991. By that time I had traveled fairly extensively, but I recall on the plane home saying "I definitely want to go back to Ireland." Though I had enjoyed many other places, I had never said that before. One reason was that we had spent an entire week with not one cross word, no negative experiences, just everyone making sure we had a good holiday. That was a big part. Though I didn't return until this year, I've already planned a return visit in November--and hopefully more in the future. It's the whole experience--the wonderful people, the laid back atmosphere, the fun of driving the tiny roads and the gorgeous scenery. I can't think of another place where you get all of that!!

Ireland is a nice small country with some unique features, just like Portugal, or New Zealand, or Guatemala, ....
I say small country because I felt there wasn't much left to discover after having spent 2 weeks in Ireland. In a bigger and more diversified country like France or India, you need more time to get a good feeling of the place.

There are 2 dozens countries in the world that I would like to visit before going back to Ireland., although Ireland was very enjoyable.

Went to Ireland for the first time this year and have been to many other places. The only way I would go back would likely be for a golf trip. I thought it was very nice, the people were pleasant, we saw the sights and enjoyed them but everyone has different preferences. I go by the quote, you can have the universe if you leave Italy to me.

I should have never peeked at this thread.
I haven't even been to Ireland yet and already I miss it.
Thanks all for contributing to my travel addiction.

Ireland was fine for one visit, but for me there's no compelling reason to return. There are some parts of the country I wouldn't mind living in, but not to return to as a visitor.

Hi Ed. I've only been to Ireland once, on my very first trip to Europe, a six-week visit to the British Isles, in 1979. I spent a few days in Dublin and then hitchhiked west to Galway, south to Tralee (getting a ride on that segment from two wonderful French couples traveling in two white vans) and then back to Dublin.

While I loved the country and the people, and would like to return some day, countries on the continent -- specifically France and Italy -- have had a much more powerful attraction for me ever since. So I have a desire to return but certainly not a craving. My craving (and raving) is mostly for Italy these days.

On that Ireland visit, while staying in a farmhouse B&amp;B near the Cliffs of Moher, I met three students from Yale, two of them being brother and sister. Years later, in the early 90s, while in a used bookstore, I saw a book called <i>The Village of Waiting</i> and noticed a familiar name, George Packer (the name of the brother in the group of three Yale students.) The book was about his two years in the Peace Corps in Togo (West Africa) and I discovered this was, in fact, the very same George Packer, who has gone on to become a fairly well-known writer.

I hate to be contrary, but...Went to Ireland once. Ho hum. Very nice people, ok scenery, decent food and drink, but once was enough. It all started to look the same after awhile. Not having an ounce of Irish or Catholic blood may taint my view, but I find other parts of Europe much more interesting. I enjoy Scandanavia, but most posters on Fodors don't seem to find it all that interesting. My relatives all migrated from Sweden and Denmark so I can relate to the area much more than Ireland. Besides, Ireland's weather sucks! To each his own I guess.

I struggle a little with my Ireland addiction. I realize that if I'm fortunate enough to be able to travel, I really should take advantage of that and see as much of the world as I can. But, every time we start to think about a trip, I find it so hard to go somewhere else and pass up an opportunity to be in Ireland.

I've gotten to several other countries, but I'm never as happy, as content, or as 'at home' as I am in Ireland...and I can't quite explain why. The pace of life, the people and their wit, the history, the scenery...who knows, but I just can't stop planning the next trip.