Why I Keep Going Back—And Why You Should Too
By R. Crusoe Advisor: Rachel Dorsey

Some places feel like home the moment you arrive. For me, that place was Ireland.

I’ll never forget the first time I landed in Cork as a study abroad student who purchased a £1 ticket from London to Ireland. It was misty and oh-so-green and there was something about the light, the quiet hum of local voices, the unhurried rhythm of baggage claim—it felt right. Familiar, even though I’d never been there. I didn’t know then that this country would become one of the deepest loves of my travel life. But I felt it. Ireland just fit.

Since that first visit, I’ve returned again and again—to explore new regions, to plan incredible journeys for my travelers, to live there for a time, and once, just for a weekend to soak in the atmosphere of a festival that had lodged itself in my heart. At this point, I’ve driven the winding roads, booked the castle stays, walked the wind-lashed cliffs, and had Guinness in pubs where I was the only American in sight. I’ve gotten to know the rhythms and quirks, and I’ve built friendships with the hoteliers, guides, and artists who shape the Irish travel experience behind the scenes. Some of my favorite spots that I can return to again and again? Dingle, County Donegal, and the vibrant city of Galway.

One of my most cherished Ireland trips was with my parents. They wanted to dive deep into Counties Clare, Kerry, and Cork—see the Burren, wander castle ruins, take spontaneous detours. And while I often recommend a private driver-guide (and for good reason!), on this trip, I was the driver. And the guide. I navigated the winding backroads, planned the stops, translated the menus, and kept us (mostly) on the left side of the road. It was equal parts hilarious and heartwarming—tapping our feet to traditional music in Doolin, hugging standing stones, and giving my dad a go with driving.

That ease and constant sense of friendliness is part of what made it feel natural to make a move to live in Ireland for a few months on my own. I settled into a small town not far from the County Clare coast, where on Day 1, I walked into a café, made friends with the owner, and had a list of all the best places to listen to traditional music in-hand when I left (as well as which days of the week to go). And go I went. From there, I became a familiar face and met more and more locals.

A typical pub conversation? “Do ye have any Irish in ye?” to which I said “sadly, no.” They asked for my surname and when told “Dorsey,” their faces lit up … “Oh, Dorsey – that’s from Darcy. You’re Irish.” I’ll take it!

There’s another bonus to traveling in Ireland. The rainbows are real. You don’t chase them—they just show up. One minute it’s raining sideways, the next the sky splits and out comes a prism that looks digitally enhanced but is 100% real. In all my travels, nowhere else has delivered quite so many moments of accidental magic.

So yes, I keep going back. And if Ireland’s been calling to you—whether quietly or loud and clear—I am always happy to chat about Ireland.

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